MDP calls to block bill slashing council’s financial control

Last night, MDP has called for to reject the bill that strips financial power from councils and aimed the request at President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

During a National Council meeting, MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail stated that such an amendment was brought about due to the government not being able to push forward anything of positive value to the people, and to bring a stop to the positive movements being made by the council for the public.

He went on to say that the Parliament did not listen to the voices of 56 councils and proceeded to approve the bill.

Therefore, he called on President Muizzu not to pass the bill "in the interest of the country."

"I call upon President Muizzu to not approve the bill for the sake of the nation. Please think it through, and bring a stop to it," Chairperson Fayyaz said.

Fayyaz went on to say that even the bill is passed as a law, it will be reversed if an MDP administration comes into the fold again.

Amendments to the Decentralization Act, concerning the decrease in financial power that councils hold, was also passed Tuesday night by the relevant Parliament committee. It was then passed in the parliament sitting yesterday.

According to the bill, Councils in the final year of their term will require approval from the Ministry of Finance and the Local Government Authority (LGA) before undertaking key decisions.

These include the recruitment of permanent or contract employees to the council administration or the council office, or the lease and grant of land, harbors and reef areas within the jurisdiction of the council, as per the bill.

Former Hulhumale' member and former Decentralization Committee Chairperson Ali Niyaz has expressed concern over this, stating that empowerment of councils is important to MDP. He says that the system has been implemented well and that results have been seen.

Niyaz went on to say that even though the government may not conduct relevant projects, they are actively working towards diminishing the powers of the council.

Various members from the National Council meeting stated that island councils have many projects in the pipeline, without any reliance from the main government. However, some members have called for direct action in defense of the councils, saying no to the government's measures against them.

Among the amendments that were brought to the law:

- The investment or capital of local authority companies established by councils should not exceed MVR 10 million. Acquisition of rent from any plot or building that was given by the government to the public for basic services has been prohibited as well.

- Council bank accounts must now be run under the purview of the Finance Ministry, with all bank account statement requests being granted.