The Local Government Authority (LGA) was advised that it could not order the Kendhikulhudhoo council to revoke a statement, Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham said yesterday.
The LGA ordered the Noonu Kendhikulhudhoo council on Sunday to retract a statement released to express concern over President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s alleged campaigning during an official visit to the island last Thursday.
Speaking at an AG office press conference, Usham said his office offered legal advice to the LGA after it ordered the council to revoke the statement. The LGA was advised that it lacked the authority to issue such an order, he said.
The Constitution states how the LGA should act if a council violates the Constitution and action should be taken through the process in place, Usham said.
“It’s hard to believe that the LGA could order a council to revoke a press statement when a council releases a statement. It’s not something I believe either,” Usham said.
Moreover, Usham said he did not believe councils would have to comply with orders issued without due process.
The Kendhikulhudhoo council accused the government of exerting influence on the LGA to issue the order and called on the body not to undermine the decentralization law.
The AG’s stance was revealed after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday night said his administration would not impose restrictions on councils.
“The public can only be empowered by fully empowering councils. It is not my policy at all to take action against councils, pose obstacles to councils and make things difficult. Therefore, the Local Government Authority doing any thing like that is not something I would support,” the President said. “No council will face any such thing from the government.”
The LGA board currently has seven members,, including Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef as the President’s appointee. The President’s appointee on the board to be answerable to Parliament is CEO Dr. Mariyam Zulu.
Minister Adam Shareef is the president of the board and Zulfa is the CEO.
