Confusion Over Contracts Delays Male’ Fish Market Project, Mayor Says

Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim revealed yesterday that confusion over two separate contracts is delaying the development of the city’s fish market, with questions surrounding who authorised the agreements.

Speaking during yesterday’s city council meeting, Mayor Azim said the project has not officially begun because of conflicting contracts signed during a transitional period between mayors. The initial development of the fish market was handed over to a secondary party after then-Mayor Dr Mohamed Muizzu was elected President, before Azim assumed office as Mayor of Male’.

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Mayor Azim explained that the first contract, valued at USD 6.1 million, was later followed by a second agreement for USD 9.6 million. 

މާލެ ސިޓީ ކައުންސިލްގެ 4 ވަނަ ދައުރުގެ 206 ވަނަ ރަސްމީ އާއްމު ޖަލްސާ
މިއަދުގެ އެޖެންޑާގައި ހިމެނިފައިވަނީ :

▫️މާލީކަންކަމާއި ތަރައްގީގެ ރޭވުންތެރިކަމާ ބެހޭ ވުޒާރާގެ ނަންބަރު: 13-PU/425/2025/47 (11 އޮގަސްޓް 2025) ސިޓީން އެއަރ ކޮލިޓީ މޮނިޓަރިންގ ސިސްޓަމެއް ބެހެއްޓުމަށް ބިމެއް… pic.twitter.com/oGqzs86dG1— Malé City Council (@MaleCitymv) August 20, 2025

“It is clear that the second contract was made in a way that would be very detrimental to the council. It was signed by our legal counsel, Ali Naseer [Gasim],” he said. 

He added that even though this agreement has been signed, the city council does not have the capability to pay USD 9.6 million. He said it is unclear who authorised the agreement.

Azim also warned that the company involved could take over the entire building if payments under the current contract are not made, which would prevent a local fish market from operating. He highlighted that both contracts contained identical numbers and lacked clarification on how the second agreement was established.

The mayor noted that the contract did not cover the construction of temporary huts where the fish market was relocated, requiring the city council to allocate an additional MVR 2.1 million to create approximately 200 potholes for the temporary structures.

Deputy Mayor Mohamed Areesh defended the project’s execution during President Muizzu’s mayoral term but said the situation worsened after he became President. Galolhu North councillor Mohamed Saif Fatih also expressed frustration, calling for all contracts signed by the Male’ City Council to be released as well.

Mayor Azim further noted that during Muizzu’s tenure as mayor, the fish market was leased at a significantly reduced rate. The bidding committee had agreed to rent it for MVR 130,000, but the council ultimately leased it for MVR 70,000.

The council meeting highlighted ongoing disputes over contract management and transparency, which continue to stall the long-awaited development of the Male’s fish market.