Mayor urges council role in flat list review

Male Mayor Adam Azim on Wednesday voiced concerns about the Housing Ministry's review of the flat allocation list, particularly highlighting the absence of the Male' City Council’s involvement in the process.

The review, which was initiated by the Housing Ministry to assess a list of 4,000 recipients announced by the previous government, has sparked unease among both officials and residents.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Azim shared his apprehension, pointing out that the review could exacerbate existing dissatisfaction and distrust among the public.

He stated that many flats, initially meant for those who had been waiting for years, are now being assigned to individuals who may not be entitled to them. Azim emphasized that such shifts in the allocation would fuel suspicion, especially if the list is altered without proper transparency.

The mayor’s primary concern, however, was the lack of participation from the Male’ City Council in the review process.

According to Azim, the committee responsible for re-compiling the list consists of appointed individuals, with no representation from the city’s elected body. He argued that this absence undermines the legitimacy of the review process, noting that without elected representatives, there is no accountability to the people who are most affected by these decisions. 

“My appeal to the government authorities is not to proceed without the involvement of the city council,” Azim wrote in his post.

The flat allocation issue stems from the previous government’s announcement of a list of 4,000 recipients, which was followed by an investigation from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Housing and Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, addressing the matter at a press conference, explained that shortly after the change in government, the ACC had ordered the suspension of the flat allocation process. The ACC’s findings had raised concerns about the fairness and consistency of the criteria used in determining eligibility, particularly regarding whether applicants had lived in Male' for at least 15 years.

The minister expressed his commitment to reviewing the list, ensuring that all recipients were treated fairly and equitably, and to finalizing the list before next Ramadan. He acknowledged that the investigation had revealed discrepancies, and the government would work to address them.