Local Government Authority (LGA) has revealed that council budgets will be managed via an online budget portal upon ratification of the amendments to the Decentralisation Act, starting from January 1.
Speaking to PSM News about the developments following the amendments to the Decentralisation Act, Director General of LGA Adam Shareef said the authority is delivering its mandates as required. Shareef said the changes brought is aimed at empowering the public and making people self-sufficient as the administration is also determined to create a local economy under its proposed action plan. He said LGA is tasked with ensuring a transparent approach to expenditure of public funds.
Shareef further said a portal has been developed to share details of projects above USD 323,709, which includes information about the projects and expenses. The director general also noted the ratified changes will transform the governance systems practiced in the islands to provide an opportunity for the councils to plan and execute development projects during a five-year term and empowers them to spend the funds on their own. He remarked LGA had received various complaints in the past given the three-year term lacked sufficient time to plan and execute development projects.
LGA is also running awareness campaigns to communicate with the councils the changes brought to the Decentralisation Act. One such initiative includes awareness workshops and information sessions conducted for civil service employees working in councils.