Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem (Redwave) stated last night that even though opposition MDP has been saying that the decentralization system is their "child", the truth of the matter is that the term "decentralization" was first uttered by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
During the opening ceremony of PNC's campaign hub ahead of the Local Council Election, Saleem said that the topic of a decentralized system was started during Gayoom's government.
"In reality, it started during President Maumoon's time. He was the first one to utter the word, decentralization." stated Saleem, who had worked at the Atolls Ministry during President Gayoom's government.
According to him, work related to a decentralized system was first started by Atolls Minister Abdulla Hameed during President Gayoom's government. Subsequent Atolls Minister Ilyas Ibrahim had done work related to the decentralization system as well, said Saleem.
"It was after that we saw the Atolls Minister (Waheeduddeen) work hard by going to almost all of the islands in Maldives in order to establish the system," said Saleem.
"That is why it is the way it is. They (MDP) speak as if it is their own and should be embarrassed. They have never believed in such a system."
As per Saleem, the decentralization system is the ruling party PNC's system.
Saleem went on to say that former President Mohamed Nasheed had worked to "destroy" the decentralization system during his three year term.
Saleem also said that at the time, Nasheed had split the operational system of Maldives into seven parts, established a provincial system and assigned specific people to govern each province.
"That is why I am saying that this is our party's (PNC) doing in reality. Our party will also be the one to make the decentralization system whole," stated Saleem.
Saleem highlighted that there is no one who is more experienced than President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in regards to local governance. He said that as President Muizzu has also served as the Mayor of Male', there is no one who can operate a decentralized system better than him.
"I have been working in this sector for around 45 years now. We have seen many leaders since Nasir's time. However, when speaking of today's President, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, I have never seen a President who is more caring of the citizens and who has principles that we agree with," stated Saleem.
According to Saleem, he has worked very closely with all of the Presidents. He said that he saw President Muizzu as the only one who can make all of the systems whole.
Saleem stated with full confidence last night that President Muizzu will be the first in Maldivian history to be elected for the second time in a row.
