Following the abolition of atoll councils, the islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll have decided to form a special board to work collectively for the development of the atoll with the participation of all islands.

Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif took the initiative to form a board inclusive of the islands in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. To seek support for this, the Mayor held a meeting with the presidents of the island councils today.

The council presidents who participated in the meeting supported the Mayor's proposal.

During the meeting, it was decided to determine the objectives of the board and formulate the regulations under which it will operate before the 15th of this month.

While there are currently 12 inhabited islands in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the council presidents of all islands in the atoll participated in today's meeting except for Hanimaadhoo and Makunudhoo.

Haa Dhaalu Atoll has decided to create a board inclusive of the atoll's islands at a time when the government has brought amendments to the law and abolished atoll councils. When those councils were abolished, they were being run by a council composed of the council presidents.

Mayor Athif has heavily criticized the decision, stating that the abolition of atoll councils hinders islands from working together for the development of the atoll and significantly weakens the decentralization system.