Council to return to housing ministry next week after meeting does not take place

Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has said councillors will return to the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development next week after a planned meeting with Housing Minister Abdulla Muththalib did not take place on Wednesday.

The mayor and all members of the Malé City Council visited the ministry following a decision taken during the council's general meeting earlier in the day.

Councillors said they had sought a meeting with the minister for nearly two years to discuss development issues in the Greater Malé region, provide feedback on projects and raise concerns expressed by residents.

The council travelled to Dharubaaruge, where the ministry is currently operating, in an effort to meet the minister directly.

However, according to the council, ministry officials informed them that a meeting could not be arranged due to the minister's schedule.

The council said the ministry had indicated that time would be allocated for a meeting next week.

"There are many issues that we need to discuss and coordinate with the minister. However, the response we received today was that a meeting is not possible because the minister is busy," Azim said.

The mayor said one of the key issues requiring discussion is a public petition submitted to the People's Majlis regarding a government housing project planned for the Funadhoo area of Vilimalé.

The petition has also been shared with the Malé City Council.

During Wednesday's council meeting, several councillors raised concerns that construction activities had already commenced at the site, including concrete works, despite objections from some residents.

Azim noted that the project is being implemented by the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development rather than the city council.

He said the council wished to convey concerns regarding the impact of the project on the area and discuss the matter directly with the minister.

"I hope we will be able to meet the minister next week. We will keep coming here until we get that meeting," Azim said.

The council has not announced a date for its next visit, but said it expects discussions with the ministry to take place next week.