Male City Council Sessions Stall Over Legal Dispute on Market Contracts
Male City Council sessions on hold amid controversy over fish and local market contracts | Photo: Male’ City Council
The Male City Council has been unable to hold sessions due to a lack of quorum after members moved to question the head of its legal section, Ali Naseer, over two contracts worth millions of dollars for the development of a new fish market and local market.
Two separate agreements were signed for the fish market project, both of which have since been suspended following concerns over errors in the awarding process.
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The first contract, valued at USD 6.1 million, was signed while President Mohamed Muizzu served as mayor. A second contract, valued at USD 9.6 million, was later signed under unclear circumstances while the mayoral position was vacant following Muizzu’s resignation to run for president, with Deputy Mayor Ahmed Nareesh acting in the role.
Mayor Adam Azim stated that the second agreement, signed by the legal section head, mirrored the contract number of the first and was concluded to the disadvantage of the council.
The council had summoned Ali Naseer to appear before a session on 22 August, where councillors were expected to question him on amendments to the agreement and consider whether he should face suspension pending an investigation.
