Mayor Azim Announces Major Transparency Drive in Land Leasing

Malé City Mayor Adam Azim announced last evening that Malé City Council will publicly disclose full details of all land plots leased in the capital within the next two months.

Speaking at the second council meeting of the year, Mayor Azim said this would be the first comprehensive audit since the council was formed over 15 years ago. The council is mandated by law to hold these meetings with its constituents. 

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Mayor Azim revealed that until now, the council had not maintained a formal land registry or lease database. The upcoming disclosure will include details of current leaseholders, intended use of plots, rent amounts, lease periods, and any corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations tied to the leases.

He expressed concern over long-term non-compliance, noting that some leaseholders had not paid rent for over a decade. In certain cases, unpaid utility bills had reached as much as MVR 2.5 million.

The Mayor framed the move as part of broader efforts to improve public accountability and strengthen responsible management of municipal land. He highlighted the importance of establishing a transparent and verifiable system that benefits both residents and city finances.

To address the persistent issue of non-payment on leased land and property, Thinadhoo City Council in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, for the first time in the Maldives, publicly disclosed the names of companies and individuals who have failed to pay rent on leased industrial lands earlier this month.

This unprecedented move aims to recover a total of MVR 29.9 million in outstanding lease payments and marks a significant step towards enforcing accountability in municipal land management.

Mosque Renovation and Maintenance Ongoing

Mayor Azim also provided an update on mosque renovations. He said the Council is actively refurbishing mosques in Malé, Hulhumalé, and Villimalé to improve comfort and accessibility for worshippers.

In the past six months, 33 of the 41 mosques under the Council’s management have undergone renovation and decoration. The Mayor added that improvements have also been made in cemetery services at Maafannu Aasaharaa and Hulhumalé Sahara, with ongoing efforts to maintain cleanliness in public graveyards.

He highlighted upgrades to mosque facilities, particularly restrooms, which have been elevated to a luxury standard as part of the Council’s broader commitment to service quality.

Hulhumalé Municipal Handover Remains Unresolved

Mayor Azim reiterated the Council’s position on bringing Hulhumalé’s municipal services under Malé City Council jurisdiction. Despite signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hulhumalé Development Corporation (HDC), the handover process remains incomplete.

He argued that, as defined by law, every citizen should fall under a local council’s jurisdiction. He emphasised that Hulhumalé’s unique circumstances warrant its inclusion under the city council and that four meetings have been held with HDC to resolve the matter.

New Council Headquarters Underway

The Mayor confirmed that construction of a new Council building is progressing steadily. Once completed, the facility will consolidate departments currently spread across nine locations into a single space, improving administrative efficiency.

The new building, covering 24,000 square feet, is located on the east side of the existing Thaisey Kothi and has reached nearly 50 percent completion. It will house all public services under one roof across two floors.

Waste Management Among City’s Toughest Issues

Mayor Azim described waste management as one of the most difficult challenges facing the Council. Over the past six months, efforts to raise public awareness about littering have continued alongside routine street cleaning.

The Council collected 4,333.4 tonnes of waste from city roads, in addition to 6,618.41 tonnes transported to the WAMCO disposal site. Over 48,000 dustbins were also emptied at designated locations.

More than 7,100 dustbins’ worth of waste were retrieved from the Malé City harbour area alone. The Mayor noted that public cooperation remains vital to improving cleanliness and aesthetics across the city.

Over 4,500 Trees Planted in Six Months

As part of its green initiatives, the Council has planted more than 4,500 trees in the past six months to improve the urban landscape and provide shade for pedestrians.

According to Mayor Azim, most of these saplings were prepared and planted voluntarily by council staff. The total includes 3,502 trees in Malé, 184 in Villimalé, and 814 in Hulhumalé. The data has been published on the Council’s official website.

The Mayor concluded by expressing his personal satisfaction with the greening efforts, noting that a more shaded, green city brings comfort and visual appeal to residents and visitors alike.