2 agreements stall fish market project

Ambiguous agreements have delayed the development of a new fish market and a local market in Malé.

Mayor Adam Azim said Wednesday the project has not moved forward because of conflicting agreements awarded to two contractors.

According to him, the first contract, worth USD 6.1 million, was signed when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was serving as mayor. He said the agreement was largely carried out but included minor issues.

The second contract, valued at USD 9.6 million, was signed after Dr Muizzu resigned as mayor to contest the presidential election. At that time, Deputy Mayor Ahmed Nareesh took charge. The agreement was signed by council lawyer Ali Naseer, but Azim said it was unclear how the second contractor was awarded the project. Both agreements carry the same reference number.

Azim said the later agreement placed the council at a disadvantage. “If the payment is not made, the contractors get the whole building. There will be no fish market or local market,” he stated.

He explained that a temporary market was set up in two vacated parking zones, with stalls provided to existing businesses to continue operations. The construction of these temporary stalls cost MVR 2.1 million, but Azim noted that the related bid documents are missing.

He added that under the second agreement, the USD 9.6 million would not be payable to the city council. “Now the building has been given to a contractor to build. Who approved this, and who decided it?” he asked.

Only one councillor, Mohamed Saif Fathih of Galholhu North Constituency, spoke at the council meeting on the matter. He raised concerns over how projects are disrupted once agreements are signed. He also criticised the lack of transparency.

“If the mayor and council members do not know the value of agreements, and if terms are changed without their knowledge, it poses a risk,” Saif said. He urged the mayor to make all agreements public.

The meeting ended without a quorum after a councillor walked out. Saif later requested an opportunity to review and compare both agreements.

The project, once finalised, is intended to replace the existing local market. The planned four-storey building will include: