Councillors and mayors voiced concern on Tuesday that the abolition of Atoll Councils has set back governance in the Maldives by half a century.
At a press conference held to highlight challenges arising from recent legal changes, including the dissolution of Atoll Councils and restrictions on council powers in their final year, speakers included Male' City Mayor Adam Azim, Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif, Vaavu Atoll Council President Shuja Ali, and B. Kihaadhoo Council President Hussain Shafiu.
They argued that the government amended the law without adequate research or consultation with councils and citizens. Shafiu cited a National University study that recommended strengthening Atoll Councils, noting that small islands had benefited significantly from their activities during the councils’ fourth term.  
“We are seeing that when we dismantle this layer at the atoll level, our governance system is going backwards, beyond the era of former President Maumoon and even to the tenure of former President Nasir,” Shafiu said.
Athif stressed that island councils remain financially unstable and alleged that the government’s changes were designed to prevent councils from gaining financial independence. He criticized restrictions that bar councils from recruiting staff in their final year without special approval, noting that Kulhudhuffushi Council has been unable to fill six posts due to Local Government Authority (LGA) refusals.  
“Institutions must function continuously, regardless of election cycles. If councils cannot hire staff in their final year, then the same restriction should apply to government ministries,” Athif said, adding that his council had lost over a million rufiyaa due to blocked permits and land allocations.
Azim highlighted that councils operate with just five percent of the state budget, while the government controls the remaining 95 percent. He accused the administration of wasting funds and concealing spending from the public.  
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (R) with Local Government Minister Adam Shareef Umar (L). (File Photo/President's Office)
“The people do not know what the government is spending from the state budget. Mosques and public squares are increasing, but councils cannot hire staff to maintain them without LGA permission,” Azim said, questioning what projects the government has actually delivered.
The press conference underscored growing frustration among local leaders who believe the abolition of Atoll Councils undermines decentralization and weakens service delivery at the island level.