Minister of State for Cities and Administrative Areas, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, has stated that we are seeing President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu fulfilling the promises he made to the people during the presidential election campaign. A special ceremony was held today to hand over two uninhabited islands to Dhaalu Atoll Council, one uninhabited island to Inguraidhoo Council, and one uninhabited island to Maavah Council.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Adam Shareef said that we are witnessing the President fulfilling his promises to the people, and that the President decided to establish a system and set guidelines for allocating uninhabited islands to councils in order to financially empower them.
“Today we are seeing President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu fulfilling his promise to strengthen the decentralized system of the Maldives. We just witnessed that scene, that evidence,” the Minister said.
He stated that under this system, two uninhabited islands were allocated to Dhaalu Atoll Council, one to Inguraidhoo Council, and one to Maavah Council. The Minister described this as a significant advancement for the decentralized system.
Adam Shareef said that President Muizzu is fulfilling his promises and empowering councils financially, despite many challenges.
“Previously, there were no systems or guidelines in place for providing such resources to a council or office. However, despite many different challenges, the President has established guidelines and decided on a system to move forward with these matters. This is the tireless and immense work that the President has done to strengthen the decentralized system, which we all acknowledge,” the Minister said.
The Minister further stated that 28 uninhabited islands have been opened for allocation to councils, and councils in need of uninhabited islands are submitting requests. As such, he noted that 3 councils have applied for 5 islands. Adam Shareef congratulated the first 3 councils that cooperated with the government’s initiative and acquired uninhabited islands.
Highlighting that the government has set four policies to strengthen the decentralized system, the Minister said that one of the most important policies is to financially empower the councils. Adam Shareef also stated that it is the government’s policy to expand the role of councils in providing municipal services and to make councils institutions that operate transparently with public participation and consultation.
State Minister of Finance Ahmed Maazin and Member of Parliament for Maavah Constituency Ahmed Shakir also participated in this ceremony.
