Local Government Authority (LGA) has instructed the islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll to stop efforts to establish a special board aimed at supporting the development of the atoll.

In a letter sent to Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif, the LGA said atoll councils have been abolished and their responsibilities have been transferred to the authority.

LGA said it does not believe a board consisting of all islands in the atoll can be formed, adding that such an initiative would contradict the purpose of amendments made to the Decentralization Act to abolish atoll councils.

The authority has requested the islands to stop the formation process and provide clarification on the legal basis for the decision.

The initiative to establish the board was led by Mayor Athif, who held a meeting with island council presidents to seek their support.

Responding to the LGA’s letter, Athif said the proposed board was not intended to replace services provided by the former atoll councils or the LGA, but was instead an initiative for island councils to work together on development projects.

“The LGA is asking us to stop this, while the LGA itself encourages councils to work together for the development of the atoll, assess their performance and give marks. This letter goes against their own policies,” Athif said.

Athif said he would not be discouraged by the decision and that efforts carried out for the benefit of the people of the region would continue.

There are currently 12 inhabited islands in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Council presidents who attended the meeting chaired by Athif supported the proposal to establish the board.

The government recently amended the law to abolish atoll councils. Following their dissolution, atoll councils were temporarily managed by a committee consisting of island council presidents.

Athif has criticized the abolition of atoll councils, saying it would prevent islands from jointly working on atoll-wide development initiatives and weaken the decentralization system.