Ministry of Health has handed over 20 projects to island councils to be implemented under a decentralised system.
The project agreements of twenty islands were signed at a ceremony held Sunday at the Health Ministry. The Parliament recently approved amendments to the Decentralization Act under which all Public Sector Investment Programmes (PSIP) under MVR 5 million will also fall under local councils as sectoral grants.
Most of the projects handed over are extension of health centers and finishing works of structures. Health Ministry estimates over MVR 48.1 million will be utilized for the projects.
Speaking at the ceremony, Health Minister Abdulla Ameen said the projects will realize the dreams of 'an island-style Maldives' while also empowering island councils.
The minister said the new projects will be announced by the respective island councils and that the tendering process and awarding of contract will be carried out by the councils. Therefore, day-to-day monitoring of the projects will become easier, and more opportunities will be available to small and medium enterprises of the islands, the minister said.
