Decentralisation of island administration in the Maldives

Abstract

This study analyses the impact of decentralisation and challenges in managing local government affairs in the Maldives. The decentralisation process in the Maldives has been an upheaval battle as there are many disputes and challenges, including lack of political will among elected politicians to implement decentralisation despite having the legal framework of the Decentralisation Act in 2008. The Act seems ineffective hence the past two regimes were disinclined to support the localisation process at the local level, thus hindering local governance's political and financial assistance. The study uses qualitative techniques; data from 76 respondents were gathered using semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that decentralisation had a significant impact on service delivery in the local councils. The majority of the respondents agree that decentralisation would benefit the local administration in better service delivery. However, the positive implication would be hampered without strong political will and sufficient financial supports from the central government. This situation would lead to unequal distribution of resources and poor public services, which are among the challenges the local council faces in managing local issues in the Maldives.