Chair of the Decentralisation Committee Ali Niyaz says the changes brought to the Decentralisation Act will allow the public to engage more in the development projects in the islands.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of Guesthouse Inspection Training organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Parliamentarian Ali Niyaz said the councils will be empowered with the new amendments, permitting them to engage in all developmental aspects related to the island. He added the changes would reduce the role of ministries as various responsibilities have been mandated to the councils.
Niyaz said although the purpose of the Decentralisation Act approved in 2010 was to involve council more, powers had been centralised and budgets were controlled. He said the maximum budgets allocated to councils in previous administrations stayed between USD 38 to USD 51 million, noting this amount forced councils to request ministries to carry out all projects in islands.
The parliamentarian said services from councils vary from managing waste, ports, roads and other development related work which would require at least USD 90.6 million. He said the local communities will see huge developments undertaken when councils are more empowered, enabling island communities to participate in development projects by taking initiative and leadership.