15 councils receive ‘Kangathi Award’ for excellence in performance last year

15 local councils have been honored with ‘Kangathi Award’ for excellence in performance during last year.

The awards were presented during a ceremony held by the Local Government Authority (LGA) on Thursday. The ceremony was graced by Local Government Minister Adam Shareef Umar and Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel.

A total of 22 awards were presented to local councils based on the Local Council Performance Index.

They included ‘Gadhahamaanthi Award’, bestowed to atoll councils which placed first, second and third in the Performance Index and ‘Ranahamaanthi Award’, bestowed to island councils which placed first, second and third in the Performance Index.

Gadhahamaanthi Award winners:

• First place: Laamu Atoll Council
• Second Place: Shaviyani Atoll Council
• Third Place: Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council

Ranahamaanthi Award winners:

• First place: AA. Bodufolhudhoo Council
• Second place: HA. Thuraakunu Council
• Third place: K. Himmafushi Council

Meanwhile, Male’ City Council was honored with ‘Hirihamaanthi Award’ for excellence in strengthening the local governance system and good governance, and delivering exemplary services. 

According to LGA, the Local Council Performance Index used to determine the winners of the 'Kangathi Award,' was introduced in 2015 as a benchmark for monitoring and evaluating the performance of both atoll and island councils, and for ranking them accordingly, according to the LGA.