The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has rejected government claims that local councils are responsible for stalled development projects, saying delays are due to lack of funding and poor planning, not obstruction by councils.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has accused some councils of deliberately slowing government projects, claiming that several initiatives already awarded have been delayed because councils failed to cooperate. He has also argued that councils are not meant to hold the government accountable, describing them instead as a layer of government, and urged voters to elect PNC aligned candidates who share this view in the upcoming council elections.
Responding at a press conference on Thursday, MDP deputy manager for the council elections and former Hulhumale' MP Ali Niyaz said the President’s claims were unfounded and misleading.
Niyaz said projects were being delayed because the government lacked the necessary financial resources and implementation arrangements, calling it “ridiculous” to suggest councils were at fault after the government itself had identified projects, visited islands with delegations and laid foundation stones.
“How can the President go to an island and lay a foundation stone before land issues are settled?” Niyaz asked. “There are only two explanations: either the project was never ready to be implemented, or the aim is to discredit the councils.”
He said the government was attempting to portray councils as bodies that should simply carry out central government directives, stressing that councils are independent legal entities with the authority to plan and implement their own development projects.
“The government says councils are not meant to hold it accountable. That may be true,” Niyaz said. “But councils are accountable to the people. They face residents every day.”
Niyaz added that councils explaining delays or problems with government projects at council meetings does not amount to holding the government accountable, but rather responding to public concerns.
He also challenged the government to publicly identify which development projects are being implemented and in which islands, arguing that this was information the administration had so far failed to provide.
Niyaz rejected claims that development depends on electing ruling party candidates to councils, noting that councils can continue to deliver essential services regardless of political affiliation.
