Civil service employees can play the most significant role in eliminating corruption, Dr Ismail Shafeeu, the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development, said at the Civil Service Conference opening, noting they bear primary responsibility for delivering government services. The civil service employs approximately 35,000 individuals, translating to one for every 15 citizens and a substantial portion of the state budget, Minister Shafeeu noted, adding that delayed administrative action erodes public trust.
Averting graft prevents financial malpractice, Minister Shafeeu argued, stating, "To shape the Maldives into a nation safeguarded against the malicious scourge of corruption, the utmost cooperation and the most substantial effort must come from you, the civil servants." He added that with professionalism, "if administrative corruption is eradicated, our offices will, God willing, transform into institutions that are faithful stewards of public funds, utilising the people's money to deliver the most appropriate and deeply satisfying services required."
Dismantling corruption establishes a public-prioritised system, an objective under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ‘Maldives 2.0’ initiative, Minister Shafeeu stated, urging civil servants to resolve to place citizens first. Mohamed Mujuthaz, president of the Civil Service Commission, echoed that ‘Maldives 2.0’ will alter public service, noting that workers without a wage increase since 2009 received a raise last November. The fifth biennial event since 2014 brought roughly 300 council, school, and hospital representatives to examine 18 research papers across eight operational fields.