Amendments post election see us losing rights: Mayor Athif

Kulhudhuffushi City Council Mayor Mohamed Athif has stated that due to the amendments being brought about to the Decentralization Act post-council election, it sees councils facing great difficulties within their last year, and has requested that changes be brought.

During last night's meeting with island residents at Kulhudhuffushi where President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was in attendance, Mayor Athif had stated that the Decentralization Act is the best system to govern Maldives and that residents don't want services being given out by a Male'-based authority.

As per the Mayor, services can be provided to residents in the swiftest and best manner through councils. However, due to the amendments to the Decentralization Act, the powers of councils have been quite narrowed, the Mayor went on to say.

"It is apparent to me that the amendments that have been brought to the Decentralization Act are detrimental to councils and services to the public are hindered after the fact," said the Mayor.

Athif went on to say that he hopes the amendments will see further changes for the better, and that residents of Kulhudhuffushi also hope for the same.

Mayor Athif stated that the changes to the act have brought about difficulties in the last year of the council term, with land leasing for economic purposes and hiring of employees for councils being the main ones. He also stated that it will disrupt the work that the council is trying to accomplish.

"We were elected to work for a five-year term, with the development plan being penned down after sitting down and discussing with residents. The changes make it so that our final year being elected sees projects not being able to be completed, with our electoral rights being stripped as well, along with the rights of the residents," said the Mayor.

Referencing the amendments to the act, Mayor Athif went on to say that councils will see a loss of MVR 4 million with the loss of rent collection from buildings that provide basic services. The mayor also noted the amendment that forces councils to plead with the central government for financial matters.

"Councils already have a system to monitor financial matters. Even one Rufiyaa is being spent and tracked via the Viya module. Even LGA can monitor the system daily. If the council spends at any time, it is gazzetted properly," said Athif.

With that, Athif stated that by implementing even more difficult measures while a system already exists to keep councils financially accountable and responsible, it will bring further disruptions when the council wants to provide services to the public.

"My hope is that President Muizzu will think heavily upon the amendments and will make arrangements to make council processes much easier," said Mayor Athif.