Recent remarks by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu regarding council spending have sparked an important conversation about decentralization, governance, and public discourse. While financial accountability is essential, it is equally vital that elected councils be treated with the respect their role warrants, especially in public discussions.
Understanding the Criticism
The President’s comments suggest that councils are misusing block grants, citing concerns about “experience trips” to Bangkok and unspent funds at the end of their term. His remarks imply that councils are engaging in financial mismanagement, rather than fulfilling their responsibilities as outlined in the Decentralization Act.
However, decentralization is designed to empower local bodies with decision-making authority, ensuring that communities receive the resources they need. While it is reasonable to ask whether funds are being used optimally, dismissing councils outright undermines the spirit of local governance and the trust placed in elected officials by the people.
Respect, Accountability, and Balanced Governance
Criticism, when delivered constructively, strengthens governance. Transparency and oversight are crucial to ensure that funds serve the intended purpose. However, such discussions should be carried out in a manner that fosters mutual respect rather than public condemnation.
Elected councils are not merely recipients of block grants; they are representatives chosen by their communities to address local needs. If reforms are necessary, they should be pursued through collaboration and improved mechanisms, not by diminishing the credibility of those elected to serve.
Constructive Dialogue and Moving Forward
Instead of emphasizing trips abroad, the focus should be on developing more effective monitoring systems that ensure budgets are spent meaningfully. If certain councils are genuinely misallocating funds, the solution lies in strengthening oversight measures rather than discouraging trust in decentralized governance.
Moreover, it is worth noting that accountability should apply across all levels of government. Leaders themselves undertake numerous trips abroad in the name of diplomacy or experience-sharing—should they not be held to the same financial scrutiny?
Ultimately, decentralization is about empowerment. Strengthening governance requires accountability, but also trust, collaboration, and mutual respect between national leaders and elected councils.
Smile and Let Smile 