Government Launches Push to Empower Local Councils Nationwide

Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, has announced a comprehensive government initiative aimed at strengthening local councils and accelerating decentralisation. The Minister, in a recent statement, framed this empowerment as a core policy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration. He highlighted that the President has taken direct action by visiting every island to engage with councils and communities, alongside allocating key resources—including uninhabited islands—to local governance. A central focus of the effort is addressing practical challenges faced by councils. The government is actively working to resolve space constraints by renovating dilapidated council buildings across the atolls. Concurrently, programs are underway to modernise council management systems to improve overall effectiveness and service delivery. These measures represent a strategic push to enhance the quality of local governance. By building infrastructure and transferring resources, the administration aims to make the decentralisation process more tangible and impactful for communities throughout the Maldives.