Minister for Cities, Local Councils and Public Administration, Adam Shareef Umar, has announced that 77 percent of councils across the Maldives will be renewed once the ongoing renovation projects are completed.

Speaking on state media’s Raajje Miadhu programme, the minister highlighted years of neglect faced by island councils, with many buildings in poor condition, including collapsing ceilings that pose safety risks to staff.

Minister Shareef emphasised that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is committed to empowering councils and improving their infrastructure by the end of his term. The government plans to develop 105 council buildings, with 50 funded by the Chinese government and 55 directly supported by state funds.

The new council buildings will include dedicated spaces for council presidents and vice-presidents, administrative work, Women’s Development Committees (WDC), and community meetings. Some projects will feature two-storey buildings depending on available land.

Construction is expected to be completed within 18 months to two years from the start date, marking significant progress in enhancing local governance across the Maldives.