Gov’t to Reclaim Usgekolhu Oversight Following Vandalism, Security Concerns
Vandalism at Usgekolhu. The ministry said legal action would be taken under the Maldives Cultural Heritage Act against those found to have been involved in the incident.
The government has decided to reclaim management of Usgekolhu, citing the Malé City Council’s failure to maintain security at the historic site after reports of vandalism and evidence of illegal activity within the building.
Speaking during the latest episode of the “Presser with the Spox” series held yesterday, Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) said the council, which currently has custody of Usgekolhu, had failed to adequately secure the premises. He said recent inspections found evidence that individuals had unlawfully entered the building and used drugs inside, in addition to graffiti being sprayed on the walls.
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Shareef said the government had previously requested that the Malé City Council transfer Usgekolhu to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage to facilitate the development of an interactive museum as part of President Mohamed Muizzu’s policy to expand heritage tourism. However, he said the transfer had not taken place while incidents of vandalism at the site continued to emerge.
He said the government’s decision to formally transfer custody of the site back under state management was taken after the situation deteriorated and the council was unable to ensure the building’s security.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage announced that it had launched an investigation with police after graffiti was sprayed on the walls of Usgekolhu. The ministry said those responsible would face legal action under the Maldives Cultural Heritage Act and confirmed it had begun the legal and administrative process to assume responsibility for preserving and managing the site.
Usgekolhu, located within Sultan Park, is the only surviving structure of the former Royal Palace complex. Built more than a century ago during the reign of Sultan Haji Imaduddin VI, it also served as the Maldives’ first National Museum and is regarded as one of the country’s most significant historic landmarks.
