Work stalled due to delays in rules, guidelines: Mayor

Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar has said the city council’s work has come to a halt because the rules under the 16th amendment to the Decentralization Act have yet to be gazetted.

In a post on X last night, Nizar called the delay “unlawful,” noting that the rules were supposed to be published within 30 days of the amendment’s ratification but remain “stuck in the President’s Office” more than 45 days after the deadline.

“Many important works have been stopped without hiring the necessary staff,” he said, highlighting that road-sweeping vehicles purchased at a cost of millions are lying idle because drivers cannot be hired. He also said employees with expired contracts have not been renewed.

The 16th amendment, ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on 14 August, requires the Finance Ministry and the Local Government Authority’s approval for employee recruitment and land allocation in councils’ final year.

Other provisions include limits on local authority businesses under MVR 10 million, exemptions from rent for land and buildings used for basic services like water and electricity, tax obligations to the government on revenue-generating activities by councils, and mandatory disclosure of council accounts to the Finance Ministry and LGA upon request.

The mayor’s concerns follow widespread opposition to the amendment, including statements from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and more than 60 councils urging the president not to ratify it.