President Claims Malé City Council Obstructing Progress on Fish Market Redevelopment Project

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed concern that the Malé City Council is obstructing the government’s planned Market Complex project by failing to hand over the required land for development.

Speaking on the second episode of The Pulse podcast, published on Friday, on government efforts to support fishermen, the President said Malé has one of the largest populations of fishermen, but the condition of the existing fish market remains poor. He said the government had announced a major redevelopment project and completed all necessary arrangements.

advertisement

He said that despite four months passing since the contract was awarded, physical work has not started due to the council’s failure to vacate and hand over the land required for the project.

The President said funding for the project has been fully secured and added that the council has not cooperated despite repeated efforts to move the project forward.

He described the planned Market Complex as a state-of-the-art facility that will bring all existing markets in Malé under one roof, including the fish market, local market and travellers’ market.

He said temporary arrangements would be made for businesses currently operating at the site and added that the government would resolve the issue and begin construction soon.

The government aims to complete the project and bring it into service by 10 December next year.

The planned six-storey development will cover more than 95,000 square feet and include 455 kiosks for vendors. The government is allocating MVR 126.34 million for the project.

The President said the project is vital due to the large number of fishermen living in Malé and added that it would significantly transform the harbour and market area upon completion.

The remarks come against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute between the government and the Malé City Council over the fish market redevelopment. The council had previously postponed handing over the land, citing the need for further information on the project and due process requirements.

In a separate development linked to the same project, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr Abdulla Muththalib has informed the Malé City Council that all future communications with him must be conducted in writing. The minister cited concerns over how previous verbal discussions had been represented publicly and instructed the council to submit any matters requiring attention through written correspondence.