President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has criticised councils that oppose the Government, accusing them of prioritising political interests over their responsibilities to the public.

Speaking on the State Media’s Nation Chat programme, President Dr Muizzu said the Government consistently sought to work with councils in Malé and across the islands to provide services to the public with their cooperation.

He said politically opposed councils were, in some cases, acting in an unprofessional manner and allowing political considerations to hinder public services and the fulfilment of commitments made to residents.

President Dr Muizzu said such actions were causing delays and obstacles in delivering services and fulfilling promises to the public, and stressed that the situation required a swift solution.

The President, who said he strongly supports decentralisation, noted that he had worked to implement the decentralised system in different capacities over many years. He said he therefore understood the responsibilities and limitations of councils under the system.

President Dr Muizzu said the Government could not simply stand by when councils acted against it and that it had a responsibility to find alternative ways to deliver services and fulfil its commitments to the public without delay.