Council moves to stop illegal use of fish market premises

The Male City Council has announced action against businesses operating illegally within the fish market building.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the council said that several shops, warehouses and other premises on the first and second floors of the market were being used without proper authorisation.

The council instructed that where such premises are operated under an agreement, the relevant documents must be submitted to the council by next Thursday. If no documentation is provided within seven days, the council will consider the premises unused and bring them under its custody.

According to the statement, the council will clean shops, warehouses and other spaces under its control, and any items found will be treated as abandoned and disposed of as waste.

Mayor Adam Azim, speaking on Wednesday, said that two contracts worth millions of dollars had been signed in relation to the fish market. He noted that the latter agreement would halt operations at the market, resulting in the loss of the building.

He further stated at a council meeting last week that the company currently running the fish market had been awarded the property at a lower price than that recommended by the council’s bid committee.