Decentralization not implemented in Malé City: Mayor Dr Muizzu

Mayor of Malé city Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that decentralization is implemented to its fullest in the capital Malé city.

Speaking on Sangu TV’s “After News” program, Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed his concerns on the government’s continued refusal to allow the Malé City Council to provide municipal services in the satellite ward of Hulhumalé which falls under the jurisdiction of the city council.

He stated that besides some minor duties, the city council is not provided the opportunity to provide municipal services in Hulhumalé. He stated that the Malé City Council is only afforded the right to provide vital statistics and maintain the public mosques and cemetery in Hulhumalé.

”“For example, a private party is developing a mosque in Hulhumalé and we would receive a letter from the government requesting us to take over the maintenance of the mosque without providing us with an opportunity to improve the budget or hire additional personnel: Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu”“

He further states that the council does not even receive support from the government in very minor issues, which could be internally resolved within the government itself.

While the capital Malé city and its satellite wards of Villimalé and Hulhumalé falls under the jurisdiction of the Malé City Council, the city council is not provided the right to provide municipal services in Hulhumalé an is instead provided by the SOE Urbanco. While the Mayor and the city councilor have repeatedly raised concern on this issue, the government is yet to reach an amicable and procedurally legal solution.