39th Noonu Atoll Council Sitting

Introduction

Takeaways

Proposals & Decisions

39.1 Approval of Budget for 2025

Proposal

The proposed 2025 budget for Noonu Atoll Council reflects a commitment to advancing community well-being, fostering sustainable development, and preserving the atoll’s natural and cultural heritage. This budget outlines carefully allocated resources aimed at addressing immediate priorities and establishing a foundation for long-term growth. A total of MVR 11,741,632.80 is designated for municipal service development to enhance governance and service quality across the atoll. Key allocations within this segment include MVR 1,014,300.00 for vehicle licensing services, MVR 175,000.00 for park improvements, and an additional MVR 100,000.00 for public bank account financing to strengthen financial transparency. A significant portion, MVR 9,357,332.80, focuses on improving atoll-level administration and public service delivery, which is critical for promoting efficiency and elevating the quality of life for all residents.
The budget includes MVR 394,500.00 to establish a work-from-home policy, address the evolving needs of the workforce, and foster more productive and adaptable working environments. Digital transformation is another priority, with MVR 1,300,000.00 allocated to enhance governance through modern digital tools. This includes MVR 1,000,000.00 for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and MVR 200,000.00 to deploy a public engagement platform across the islands, enabling accessible information flow and participatory governance.
Economic development is addressed through investments totalling MVR 2,000,000.00 for the establishment and strengthening of the Noonu Atoll Local Authority Company. Transformative projects, such as convention tourism development, supported by MVR 810,000.00, and an allocation of MVR 700,000.00 for community-driven harbour exchanges, aim to create economic opportunities and ensure equitable growth. The inter-island cargo ferry and delivery system, with MVR 1,510,000.00 allocated, will further enhance connectivity and logistics to support regional trade and development.
Environmental sustainability is reinforced through an allocation of MVR 1,200,000.00 for natural resource conservation, including MVR 1,000,000.00 for safeguarding uninhabited islands, reefs, and mangroves alongside reef rehabilitation efforts. Investments in solar energy installations (MVR 2,000,000.00) and atoll-scale recycling and up cycling businesses (MVR 1,000,000.00) demonstrate a strong focus on transitioning to renewable energy and a circular economy. Disaster preparedness and climate resilience are further supported, with MVR 300,000.00 designated for surveillance and preventative strategies.
Social cohesion remains central to the proposed budget, with grants and aids for NGOs and councils totalling MVR 378,000.00, and MVR 100,000.00 allocated for collaborative committees aimed at improving education, health, and social cohesion. Community engagement is strengthened through education festivals and inclusion initiatives, with MVR 815,000.00 allocated to ensure participation and unity across all sectors. Cultural preservation is supported through an allocation of MVR 200,000.00 for heritage restoration and MVR 300,000.00 for launching an atoll promotion magazine. These efforts aim to safeguard the region’s cultural identity and promote its narrative of resilience and progress.
The 2025 budget demonstrates a thoughtful approach to balancing progress with preservation, addressing immediate requirements, and planning for sustainable and inclusive growth. Through targeted investments in governance, economic development, environmental management, digital transformation, and social cohesion, this proposal establishes a comprehensive framework for a vibrant, resilient, and united future for all residents of Noonu Atoll.

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Takeaways

The Noonu Atoll Council hereby approves the 2025 budget as proposed, reflecting the council’s collective commitment to fostering sustainable development, enhancing governance, and improving community well-being across the atoll. This approval comes despite significant financial challenges faced over recent years, including the non-receipt of income from the Atoll Shop rent, amounting to approximately 10 million since 2019, and the partial release of the 2024 block grant by the finance ministry. Additionally, while the initial estimate for the 2025 block grant was 12 million, the realized figure stands at approximately 9 million. These shortfalls highlight the ongoing financial constraints under which the council has planned this budget. The approved budget, nonetheless, includes vital investments aimed at addressing immediate priorities and establishing a foundation for long-term resilience and inclusive growth. Allocations have been strategically directed to municipal service development, focusing on enhancing governance, public service delivery, and local infrastructure, including vehicle licensing services, park improvements, and financial transparency through public bank account systems. Advances in digital governance, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and public engagement platforms, have also been prioritized to modernize operations and foster participatory governance. Economic development initiatives remain a core focus, with funding approved for the establishment of the Noonu Atoll Local Authority Company, inter-island trade infrastructure, and convention-based tourism development. These projects are designed to boost local employment opportunities and revenue generation. Environmental conservation allocations, including investments in renewable energy, waste management, and safeguarding natural resources, reflect the council’s determination to address climate change and promote sustainability despite financial obstacles. The budget also emphasizes social cohesion, cultural preservation, and collaboration with NGOs through funding for education festivals, inclusion frameworks, heritage restoration, and community engagement initiatives. These efforts underline the council’s commitment to unity, cultural resilience, and overall community well-being, even under financial constraints. Through this decision, the council underscores its resolve to overcome these financial challenges and stay committed to creating a thriving, inclusive, and resilient future for Noonu Atoll. The strategic financial plan reaffirms the council’s dedication to serving its community, upholding the principles of decentralization, transparency, and progress while addressing the pressing realities of limited fiscal resources.

Introduced by

Mohamed Basheer

President of Noonu Atoll Council | 2021-Now

In Favour

7

Opposed

3

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39.2 Appointment of Managing Director for Noonu Atoll Company

Proposal

The council is set to discuss the proposal to appoint Ms. Fathimath Niuma as the new Managing Director of Noonu Atoll Local Authority Company (LAC) Ltd., following the resignation of Mr. Hussain Riyaz, effective 15th November 2024. Ms. Niuma is a highly qualified and experienced leader, with over two decades of expertise in public policy, corporate strategy, business development, and project management. She has driven strategic growth and managed key corporate relationships. Her prior role as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure led impactful projects, such as the National Maritime Public Transport Network (Raajje Transport Link), while also authoring critical national policy documents like the National Spatial Plan and National Housing Policy. Ms. Niuma holds a Master of Public Policy from the renowned Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Business Administration from the University of Northumbria, Newcastle. Recognised for her exceptional leadership with accolades such as the Woman of Extraordinary Excellence by the World Growth Forum for three consecutive years (2020–2022), she exemplifies the qualities needed to guide Noonu Atoll LAC Ltd. toward sustainable and inclusive development. If appointed, Ms. Niuma’s strategic expertise, innovative mindset, and proven ability to build partnerships will be instrumental in driving operational efficiency, equitable progress, and community-centred growth across the atoll. The council will consider this proposal and, if approved, ensure a smooth on-boarding process in coordination with the outgoing Managing Director.

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Takeaways

The council is set to discuss the proposal to appoint Ms. Fathimath Niuma as the new Managing Director of Noonu Atoll Local Authority Company (LAC) Ltd., following the resignation of Mr. Hussain Riyaz, effective 15th November 2024. Ms. Niuma is a highly qualified and experienced leader, with over two decades of expertise in public policy, corporate strategy, business development, and project management. Currently serving as the Head of Business Development and Corporate Affairs at Ocean Publishers Pvt. Ltd., she has driven strategic growth and managed key corporate relationships. Her prior role as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure saw her leading impactful projects such as the National Maritime Public Transport Network (Raajje Transport Link), while also authoring critical national policy documents like the National Spatial Plan and National Housing Policy. Ms. Niuma holds a Master of Public Policy from the renowned Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Business Administration from the University of Northumbria, Newcastle. Recognized for her exceptional leadership with accolades such as the Woman of Extraordinary Excellence by the World Growth Forum for three consecutive years (2020–2022), she exemplifies the qualities needed to guide Noonu Atoll LAC Ltd. toward sustainable and inclusive development. If appointed, Ms. Niuma’s strategic expertise, innovative mindset, and proven ability to build partnerships will be instrumental in driving operational efficiency, equitable progress, and community-centered growth across the atoll. The council will consider this proposal and, if approved, ensure a smooth onboarding process in coordination with the outgoing Managing Director.

Introduced by

In Favour

8

Opposed

2

More details