Shujau submits a motion requesting MPs' input on cutting local councilor numbers

Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP for Baarah constituency Ibrahim Shujau submitted a motion to parliament yesterday proposing to seek MPs' views on decreasing the number of elected local councilors.

The motion stated that many amongst the public are raising questions whether, at this time when State expenses are high and there is a need to economize, it is reasonable to elect a minimum of five councilors for each island because it is stipulated in the law.

Shujau said that the motion is being submitted due to this, to seek members' views on working with relevant government institutions to find a solution for the issue.

Shujau said that the Decentralization Act is one of the laws that have seen the highest number of amendments.

He said that over the past 15 years, four local council elections were held, electing thousands of councilors and resulting in the State having to spend billions. In spite of this, he said that no improvements to administration or development of islands have been seen as a result of the system.

"What we have seen is that this system has been shaped into one where senior activists from various political parties are elected as administrative heads across the country," the motion reads.

Shujau further said that it is a common complaint that the government does not cooperate with candidates from opposition parties. It has also been seen that such councilors directly obstruct government development projects, he said.

"There is heavy public concern regarding the number of members in island, atoll and city councils. All previous administrations have also brought changes needed at the time to the Act and tried to bring solutions through 'patching holes'. Chapter 8 of the Constitution stipulates that administration should be conducted within a decentralized system," he said.

Shujau said that in efforts to strengthen decentralization, this government had formed a dedicated ministry. He said that through working with the Local Government Ministry and Local Government Authority over the past 15 months, many issues in the system have been identified.

He said that after conducting a proper review of this, the government will soon propose amendments to the Act to parliament.

"Research conducted in various ways so far indicate that the public are most concerned about the high number of councilors. The fact that even in small islands with populations of about 50, there must be five councilors that are paid by the State, who are elected to provide municipal services, is doubtless something that needs to be changed."

Shujau said that the high expenses involved in running a decentralized system must also be taken into consideration. The biggest concern in this, the motion said, is the failure to bring about desired results. He said that the concept of island chiefs had been scrapped, and instead councilors elected, with high hopes, and said that decentralization is included in the Constitution itself because of the gravity of the matter.

Shujau said that changing the system to keep one or two councilors full-time, and the other councilors with a sitting allowance would also pose a better solution.

Over 900 councilors are elected to the 187 inhabited islands. Elections Commission is preparing to hold the next Local Council Elections in April next year.