Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has announced that public works units will be established in two regions of the country by the end of this year.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PSM News, Minister Adam Shareef highlighted the significant challenges local councils face in addressing minor issues on the islands, often resulting in lengthy resolution times. He noted that while public works units previously operated in seven regions, they were poorly maintained, and the machinery and equipment in these facilities are currently unusable due to a lack of sustainable repairs. He said that it has hindered the completion of various projects on the islands, creating difficulties for residents.
Additionally, Minister Adam Shareef emphasised the services provided by a single public works unit are insufficient to address the issues with roads and harbours on the islands. He pointed out that with each government transition, resources are reallocated to different companies, complicating service continuity. He also said that an assessment of the existing seven public works units is currently underway.
Furthermore, Minister Adam Shareef outlined that the top priority is to equip and operationalise these seven units. Next year, he said that plans include constructing public works units in 15 atolls that currently lack such services. As a temporary measure, he said that one public works unit will be established in both the northernmost and southernmost regions of the country this year.
The Maldives comprises 200 councils, including city, atoll, and island councils, with 187 of these being island councils.