This Administration has Bridged the Divide Between Local Councils and the Central Gov’t: Minister Khaleel

The current administration has ensured that the concerns of the local councils reach the highest level of government including the ministerial cabinet to effectively bridge the long existing divide between the councils and the central government, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel said Thursday.

Minister Khaleel made these remarks at the Kangathi Awards ceremony held on Thursday evening.

The Local Government Authority (LGA) introduced the Kangathi Awards in 2015 to celebrate the councils that achieve the highest rank in the Local Council Performance Index every year.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Dr Khaleel said the primary concern of local councils has always been the divide with the central government.

However, since taking over the government, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has been working closely with the councils to bridge that divide, he said, adding that the President had established a separate Ministry dedicated to handling the affairs of local councils.

"It has become much easier for councils today to carry their voice to the government. To bring forward their concerns to the government, especially to the cabinet and its deliberations,” the Minister noted.

“So the strengthening of a local governance system overall involves a healthy combination of councils and the central government. We are incorporating what the people want and their needs into it. We are trying to do things through the system to meet the needs of the people.”

The Laamu Atoll Council was ranked 1st in the 2023 Local Council Performance Index at the Kangathi Awards Ceremony, while the Bodufulhadhoo, Alifu Alifu Atoll, took the crown as the highest ranked island council.