President accuses city council of delaying market project

President Mohamed Muizzu has accused the Malé City Council of obstructing the government’s plans to develop a fish market and local market complex in the capital.

Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office on Monday, the President said the council did not vacate the existing fish market site after the project was awarded.

The government in March awarded a contract valued at MVR 126 million to Trusteng Maldives Private Limited to construct the Malé Wet Market Complex. The project is scheduled for completion within 18 months.

The proposed development includes a six-storey market complex with parking in the basement, a fish market on the ground floor, produce markets on the first three floors, and a food court on the fourth floor.

The President said the council had been requested to clear the site to allow construction to begin but did not comply until a deadline was issued.

“We requested the site be vacated to begin construction, but they did not comply. A deadline was set, and we informed them that if a council fails to cooperate, the relevant ministry has the authority to take over the site,” he said.

He added that the council began clearing the area after the warning.

The President also referred to delays in road development near the market area. He said the road has been widened and asphalted, but pavements have not been completed due to the council’s refusal to remove certain structures.

“The asphalt has been laid to the required width, but there is no pavement due to the lack of cooperation,” he said.

The plan to develop a new market complex was first proposed during Muizzu’s tenure as Mayor of Malé, although construction did not begin at that time.

Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has previously stated that the project was delayed due to existing agreements involving two companies.