Hassaan appointed as Chief Executive of ERA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially been renamed the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA), as announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday. The name change aims to better reflect the agency’s core mission — environmental regulation — and to strengthen and streamline its operations.

The ERA will now operate directly under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, ending the previous arrangement where the agency functioned under the guidance of a governing board. Hassan was appointed today as the Chief Executive of the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA), a political position responsible for overseeing the agency's operations.

As part of the restructuring, the leadership model of the agency has also been revised. The President's Office has introduced a new civil service position titled Chief Administrator, which will serve as the head of the agency. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has opened applications for this position, which offers a basic monthly salary of MVR 20,500 and a living allowance of MVR 15,000, totaling MVR 35,500 per month. Applications deadline is August 26 at 2:00 p.m.

Despite this new structure, Hassaan was appointed today as the Chief Executive of the ERA — a political position. While the Chief Administrator will formally lead the agency, the Chief Executive is expected to play a significant role in overseeing its functions.

Previously, the highest-ranking official in the EPA was the Director General, a post last held by Ibrahim Naeem. The creation of the Chief Administrator role signals a shift in administrative control, emphasizing the government's intent to enhance the ERA’s effectiveness and regulatory oversight in environmental matters across Maldives.