President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday inaugurated the new office building of the Rasgatheemu Island Council.
The President inaugurated the new building during his visit to the island on Tuesday, as part of his ongoing tour of several islands in Raa Atoll.
Construction of the new council building began in 2023 under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) budget of the Local Government Authority (LGA).
Rasgetheem Council President Mohammed Fatheen said a new office building had to be constructed because the old council office building was at the verge of collapse and was no longer safe for its staff.
The new building will allow council members and staff to move out from the currently rented space and will significantly enhance the administrative functions of the council, Fatheen explained.
“This [new] building has the capacity to cater to any staff increases. There is a room for each council member, a separate room for the Secretary General and the head of budget. There is also space for the WDC and administrative work along with a conference room and a council meeting room,” he said.
Addressing the space and resource constraints faced by councils is a presidential pledge made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Last February, while addressing residents of Makunudhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the President announced that the construction of 50 island councils would be implemented simultaneously in alignment with the pledge.
The government on Monday, awarded the contract to construct council secretariats on 55 islands to Malaysia’s Hextar Global Sdn. Bhd.