The government has removed the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works from the cabinet structure, signalling a shift in how local governance and public works functions are administered.
The decision forms part of a broader reorganisation that reduced the number of ministries from 20 to 15, with portfolios merged and responsibilities reassigned across the administration. When the revised cabinet was announced on Tuesday evening, the local government ministry was no longer included, and its former minister, Adam Shareef, was not given a new appointment.
Public works responsibilities previously held by the ministry have now been transferred to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. These include providing technical support for government-led projects, advising local councils on infrastructure development, monitoring project quality, and managing guidelines for the use of administrative buildings and resources at the atoll level.
The removal of the ministry effectively returns public works functions to an arrangement that existed prior to its creation, when such responsibilities were handled under the housing portfolio. The establishment of a separate ministry for cities and local governance had drawn criticism at the time, particularly given that the Local Government Authority remains the statutory body overseeing local councils.
Despite the dissolution of the ministry, its employees, including civil servants and political appointees, reported to work following the announcement. They are expected to continue their duties until further instructions are issued regarding their reassignment.
The restructuring followed the resignation of 10 cabinet ministers earlier in the day, which paved the way for the formation of a new cabinet. According to the President’s Office, the changes are intended to streamline government functions and align the administration more closely with public expectations.
