Councillors to visit housing ministry over lack of minister's meeting
According to the mayor, the council has been seeking a meeting with the minister for nearly two years but has not received a response.
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Members of the Malé City Council have decided to visit the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development following claims that repeated requests for a meeting with the minister have gone unanswered.
The decision was taken during the council's general meeting on Wednesday.
Speaking at the meeting, Malé Mayor Adam Azim said discussions with Housing Minister Abdulla Muththalib were necessary to address issues related to the development of the Greater Malé region and to communicate concerns raised by residents regarding ongoing projects.
According to the mayor, the council has been seeking a meeting with the minister for nearly two years but has not received a response to several formal requests.
"I have sent numerous letters requesting a meeting. Otherwise, there is no reason for the lack of engagement," Azim said.
He argued that cooperation between the council and the government was necessary to address development issues affecting the capital and surrounding areas.
Among the concerns raised by the mayor were plans for parking facilities in Villimalé ahead of the completion of the bridge linking Malé and Villimalé. He said increased vehicle traffic would require supporting infrastructure and suggested that a parking facility be developed near the bridge landing area.
Azim also said public projects should involve consultation with elected representatives and noted that the ministry is required to seek the council's views on matters affecting the city.
The mayor further criticised what he described as a lack of engagement from the ministry and said raising the issue during a public council meeting was intended to ensure the matter received attention.
Following his remarks, several councillors proposed visiting the ministry directly if arranging a meeting continued to prove difficult.
South Hulhumalé councillor Ahmed Ghalib supported the proposal, describing the situation as a matter that required attention.
"We have been entrusted with responsibilities by the public. If the ministry does not engage with us while residents continue to raise concerns, we cannot allow the situation to continue," Ghalib said.
Villimalé councillor Ibrahim Samah also supported the proposal, saying discussions on public concerns were important and that any engagement with the ministry should be conducted professionally.
The councillors subsequently agreed to visit the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development after the conclusion of the council meeting.
The ministry had not publicly responded to the council's concerns at the time of publication.
