Atoll Councils Dissolved as Government Moves to Set Up LGA Regional Offices

The government will establish a Local Government Authority (LGA) office in each atoll following the dissolution of atoll councils.

In a letter addressed to Local Government Authority (LGA) Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Nimal and shared on social media yesterday, the President’s Office outlined how the new structure should be implemented under the Decentralisation Act.

The letter stated that offices established under the LGA should operate as part of the authority rather than as separate government entities. It said the offices should be named in a standard format, such as “Local Government Authority – Baa Atoll Office”, in its example, instead of adopting different titles.

The President’s Office also referred to the latest amendment to the Decentralisation Act, which dissolves atoll councils upon the completion of their terms.

With the current councils expiring yesterday, the amendment came into effect, formally ending the existing atoll council structure.

The letter instructed the LGA to ensure that employees of the dissolved councils are not left without jobs and that their salaries and allowances are not reduced. It added that employment arrangements should be made in consultation with relevant authorities, in line with the Decentralisation Act.

Under the amended law passed last year, atoll councils have been dissolved following the completion of the current councilors’ terms. The number of councillors in city and island councils has also been reduced.

Newly elected councillors took their oaths of office yesterday.