President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has reaffirmed his commitment to factor in and consider public concerns in all developmental aspects. He made the statement in his opening remarks at the opening ceremony of the Viavathi Raajje conference held on Ukulhas, Alifu Alifu Atoll.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih revealed that last year he discussed public concerns on development projects in 77 meetings with local council representatives. The president said island councils across the country were facing similar issues such as financial constraints that curtail income for developmental plans, challenges to formulating land-use plans, and a lack of adequate resources for Women’s Development Committees (WDCs). He said that the conference’s main objective was for policymakers, the local council, and WDC representatives to gather and deliberate on ways to resolve these issues.
Furthermore, President Solih highlighted the administration’s efforts to ensure the fiscal and legal autonomy of local councils and the ratification of the Decentralisation Act’s eighth amendment in December 2019. He reiterated his commitment to decentralised development and said all the administration’s policies centered on this concept. He said that by prioritising decentralisation, each island would reap the benefits of developmental progress while simultaneously easing the burden on Male’ City. He added that the councils play a pivotal role in implementing the policies.
President Solih also identified drug-related issues, gang crimes, and climate change as imminent challenges facing the country and said that it was essential to discuss these issues in depth at the Viavathi Raajje conference, as resolving them would yield faster results in achieving progress. He also reiterated his commitment to equitable development across the country and to prioritise the public’s needs. He also expressed gratitude to the residents of Ukulhas, adding that it was a privilege to host the conference on the island.
The two-day conference features four sessions with presentations and discussions on various topics, including fiscal and legal autonomy, formulating land-use plans, the role of WDCs, crime prevention, social welfare, and climate resilience. It also allows the council and WDC representatives to present their concerns to President Solih and discuss potential solutions.