Construction Underway For 30 New Council Buildings Across The Maldives

The Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works has confirmed that construction is underway for 30 new local council buildings across the Maldives, marking steady progress in the government’s plan to strengthen local governance.

The large-scale initiative seeks to address the space constraints faced by councils across the country. More than 100 councils have been identified as requiring new facilities, with 105 classified as being in critical need.

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According to the ministry, the construction of 55 council buildings will be carried out under a contractor finance model, while another 50 will be developed through grant aid from the Chinese government.

The contract for the 55 councils, valued at approximately USD 40.9 million, has been awarded to local company Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC). Construction has already begun in 30 locations, with materials expected to be mobilised for nine additional islands next week. Work on the remaining sites is scheduled to begin later in November.

In relation to the 50 councils supported by Chinese funding, the ministry has stated that coordination is ongoing with the Chinese government to finalise a contractor, and work is expected to commence soon.

The State Minister for Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Moosa Fathy, noted that the project aligns with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s electoral pledge to strengthen the decentralisation framework by enhancing the capacity of local councils.

The new council buildings are designed to include spaces for councillors, women’s development committees, and key administrative offices, promoting greater efficiency and inclusivity in local governance.

This initiative builds on earlier efforts, which saw 19 council buildings completed with state funding through the Local Government Authority (LGA).