Maldives to Establish New Public Works Units by Year-End

The Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, has announced plans to establish public works units in two regions of the Maldives by the end of this year. This initiative aims to tackle the persistent infrastructure issues faced by local councils on the islands.
In an exclusive interview with PSM News, Minister Adam Shareef highlighted the significant challenges that local councils encounter in addressing minor issues on the islands, often leading to prolonged resolution times. He noted that while public works units previously operated in seven regions, they were poorly maintained, and the machinery and equipment have become unusable due to a lack of sustainable repairs. This situation has hindered the completion of various projects, creating difficulties for residents.
The minister emphasised that the services provided by a single public works unit are insufficient to address the widespread issues with roads and harbours on the islands. He pointed out that with each government transition, resources are reallocated to different companies, complicating service continuity. An assessment of the existing seven public works units is currently underway to determine the best course of action.
Minister Adam Shareef outlined that the top priority is to equip and operationalise these seven units. For the coming year, the plans include constructing public works units in 15 atolls that currently lack such services. As an interim measure, one public works unit will be established in both the northernmost and southernmost regions of the country this year. This approach aims to provide immediate relief to the infrastructure issues faced by these regions.
The Maldives comprises 200 councils, including city, atoll, and island councils, with 187 of these being island councils. The establishment of new public works units is a critical step towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure maintenance and development on the islands.
By addressing these challenges, the Ministry aims to ensure that local councils are better equipped to handle minor and major infrastructure projects, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents across the Maldives. The new public works units are expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these goals, providing much-needed support to local councils and helping to resolve infrastructure issues in a timely and efficient manner.
This strategic move underscores the government's commitment to enhancing local infrastructure and ensuring that all regions of the Maldives receive the necessary support and resources to address their unique challenges.