Malé council housing motion adjourned due to lack of quorum
Only eight councillors were present, and the motion could not be taken up.
A motion concerning the government’s failure to seek the advice of the Malé City Council on the conditions of the government’s Housing for All scheme was adjourned at the council’s formal meeting on Wednesday due to a lack of quorum.
The motion was submitted by Galolhu North councillor Mohamed Saif Fathih and Galolhu West councillor Mariyam Nazima Mohamed Faiz. The matter, which was tabled last Tuesday, was scheduled for discussion at Wednesday’s sitting.
However, the meeting did not reach the required quorum of 10 members. Only eight councillors were present, and the motion could not be taken up.
According to the motion, applications under the housing scheme are open to residents of the Malé area, and the city council has legal and ethical responsibilities in relation to the process. The motion states that the council has a role in matters related to land allocation for housing, noting that President Mohamed Muizzu, during his tenure as Malé mayor, had called for land allocation for housing projects.
The motion calls on the government to consult the city council on the council’s role in receiving applications, evaluating submissions, reviewing decisions and resolving complaints related to the scheme. It also calls for arrangements within the council to provide assistance and guidance to applicants, including support with documentation and form submission, in line with previous housing schemes.
The motion further states that the council, its Housing Committee and the Committee for Advice on Government Housing Schemes were not consulted on the conditions of the current scheme, and requests that these bodies be given an opportunity to submit recommendations.
The matter was submitted for discussion on the grounds that the terms of the scheme raise issues of public concern and that the council should be allowed to convey its views and advise the government on possible changes.
Recent council meetings have been adjourned on multiple occasions due to the absence of quorum. Council members from the PNC have been boycotting sessions in which matters related to the government are included on the agenda.
