Gapo Warns That Increasing Councillor Salaries Without Raising Grants Will Hinder Island Development

MP for Hanimaadhoo constituency, Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo), has accused the government of using the decision to increase councillor salaries as a diversion to conceal salary hikes for high-ranking officials, cautioning that raising pay without a corresponding increase in government grants to councils will obstruct island development. Speaking during a parliamentary debate, MP Ghafoor said the move to raise councillor salaries, without additional financial support from the state, would create discontent and anger among the public. He predicted that the government would propose reducing the salaries again in the near future. Ghafoor highlighted that without an increase in grants to councils, spending a large portion of council budgets on salaries would leave insufficient funds for infrastructure development and providing essential services to the people. He stated that the government is aware of this consequence. Furthermore, he criticized the government for increasing salaries for political gain instead of reducing state expenditure, given the country's current economic situation, calling it an irresponsible act.