President Solih has said that 60 percent of the Maldivian population will end up residing in Male’ City, if development efforts are not redirected.

President Solih said that the direction of progress in Maldives needs to be redirected immediately. He added that of the redirection is not successful, 60 per cent of the Maldivian population will be crammed into Male’ by the year 2050.

The President said this while speaking at the inaugural ceremony launching the National Symposium of City and Local Councils event. He added that the current situation should not remain so.

President Solih noted that various social issues will rise due to a huge population sharing a small space should 60 percent of Maldivians reside in the same space.

The President attributed the current social issues and lack of space in Male’ to years of leadership concentrating on centralization efforts.

President Solih said that the current administration will divert efforts to change the way of thinking and implement a decentralized system. He added that work will be carried out to ensure that it is the people that reap the true benefits and find a solution in a decentralized system of governance.

The President said that the solution to being crammed into a small space of residence and various other issues is to ensure that services are available at any location. He added that this can be achieved through a decentralized system of governance. President Solih said that a true decentralized system will equip local councils with the financial responsibility of its people.