Government of Maldives has handed over the task of building capacity of local councils in implementing and monitoring development projects run by the administration as it prepares to empower local councils more.
The amendments to the decentralisation act ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on December 15 empowers the councils administratively and financially, mandating more responsibilities to the councils. With the amendments, the task of running development projects is now mandated to the councils.
Addressing the councilors’ conference, planning minister stated with the new authorities granted to the councils, the councils can design, prepare technical documents required for the projects worth less than USD 328,947 in in partnership with relevant ministries. He spoke on the importance of councils being more familiar with the tendering processes and budget codes. He further shared the ministry’s efforts to create a resource pool inclusive of engineers and surveyor in every atoll.
Further, Minister Aslam shared the efforts of the ministry to further develop human resources of councils to equip them with the technical skills required to monitor development projects. He expressed hope to create an additional income for those who stay in island communities after pursuing higher education in technical areas.
The current administration believes the importance of empowering local councils in order for the government to develop island communities and reduce the burden on the government. Hence, the councils have been mandated to issue permits and supply resources to contractors. This includes awarding project sites and working as supervisors to monitor projects run by government authorities.