The President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has declared that “Farumulah” in Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Nilandhe Atoll) is no longer part of Maafaruh. On April 15 of last year, the President had issued a decree designating N. Farumulah and Kandinmahurah as part of Maafaruh. However, yesterday he reversed that decision and removed Farumulah from Maafaruh’s jurisdiction. The Presidential decree published yesterday states that the decision to declare “Farumulah” in Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi as not part of Maafaruh was made under the authority granted to him by the Decentralization Act of the Maldives.
Additionally, “Farumulah” has been designated as an island to be developed for tourism purposes under the Maldives Tourism Act. Developing tourism in the islands of the atolls is an important policy of the government. Along with this, uninhabited islands near various inhabited islands are being included within the jurisdiction of different councils to enable various economic activities. These are measures being taken by the government to empower councils and increase their financial self-sufficiency.
The Constitution stipulates that the administrative divisions of the country should be governed under a decentralized system. Under the Decentralization Act, the responsibility of determining the jurisdiction of all city councils and island councils in all administrative divisions of the country is vested in the President.
