The Mayor of Male', Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that the 4th term of the Male' City Council's first year of office was one of tremendous challenges and difficulties. He made the remark at yesterday's press conference to coincide with the first anniversary of the current 4th term of the Male' City Council.
"Our biggest challenge continues to be a major shortage of staffing at the Council", Dr. Muizzu said. He noted that, while the City Council recieved the support of the Finance Ministry and the Local Government Authority, it was the Civil Service Commission that poses difficulties in efforts to reinforce staffing for key functions in the Male' City Council. "Regrettably, the Civil Service Commission has been very irresponsible, and it appears to us that they discriminate against us for reasons unknown to us", he said.
In his remarks at the press conference, Deputy Major Ahmed Narysh said that the government had failed to recognise the legal powers of the City Council and that they continued to stand in the way of efforts to expedite service delivery to the city's residents.
Furthermore, Ibrahim Shujau, Council Member for Hulhumale' expressed his concern over the continued hijacking of municipal service delivery in Hulhumale' by HDC. "We have the unlawful circumstance of a company interested solely in making profits overseeing critical municipal service delivery for residents in Hulhumale'", Shujau said.
"I wish to make special note of everyone who respects the Decentralisation Act, and gives us their fullest support and assistance", the Mayor noted. "Local government will break down if all State institutions do not adhere to the law, and are willing to work with respective local councils", he added.