Council spending on experiential trips wasteful: President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has criticized local councils for using government funds to finance overseas “experience trips”, despite directives to cut down on non-essential spending.

Speaking during his visit to Baa Atoll, President Muizzu expressed concern over councils disregarding directives to limit foreign travel to only essential trips. He highlighted cases where councils had taken costly and unproductive trips to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Thailand.

A recent trip by several members and staff of the HA. Atoll Council to Bangkok, which had cost MVR 900,000 from the council budget had led to the Auditor General ordering action against those involved.

The president criticized the practice of entire island and atoll councils travelling abroad under the guise of gaining experience, saying such trips bring no tangible benefits to citizens or their communities.

“Whether it’s an island council or a atoll council, these experience trips bring no value to the residents,” he said.

President Muizzu emphasized that block grants and revenue allocated to councils are intended to address local development and municipal needs not for leisure or foreign excursions. He stressed that the purpose of decentralization is to empower communities, not to waste public funds.

President Muizzu questioned the relevance of experience trips so close to the end of the councils' current term.

“I saw a headline about an entire atoll council travelling abroad to gain experience. Experience for what? Their term is nearly over by now, they should already have it,” he said.

President Muizzu concluded by calling on all councils to work responsibly under the decentralization system, regardless of political affiliation. He urged them to use public funds with transparency and integrity.

“Decentralization is a serious responsibility. It’s not just a system it’s a commitment to serve the people sincerely,” he said.