Council to develop guidelines for businesses in Sinamalé, Malé Hiyaa flats

Malé City Council has referred a proposal to allow businesses to operate on the ground floors of Sinamalé and Malé Hiyaa flats under specific guidelines to its Urban Committee for further review.

The proposal was discussed at the council's official general meeting on Wednesday, following requests from residents seeking permission to operate businesses within the housing complexes.

Mayor Adam Azim said the council had received numerous requests from residents for permission to conduct business activities in the buildings.

He noted that some businesses were already operating in the complexes under permits issued several years ago, while others had been found operating without obtaining the required authorisation.

Azim said residents were seeking permission to operate businesses because of difficulties securing commercial space in Malé and the need to generate income.

He said some residents wanted to establish businesses involving cooking and baking within the housing complexes.

However, the mayor stressed that the age and condition of the Sinamalé and Malé Hiyaa buildings needed to be considered before granting additional business permits.

He said commercial activities that generate excessive noise, smoke or pose risks to residents and the public should not be permitted.

Azim also referred to a complaint he had received on Tuesday from residents about a welding workshop operating within one of the complexes.

He said he had reviewed the complaint and would issue instructions on Wednesday to stop the activity.

Following the discussion, the council decided that the proposal should undergo further assessment before any permits are issued.

The council agreed to refer the matter to its Urban Committee to examine the feasibility of allowing commercial activities on the ground floors of the housing complexes and develop appropriate guidelines.

A decision on the proposal is expected next week, following the committee's review.

During the meeting, Vilimalé councillor Ibrahim Samah, representing the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), supported the proposal and suggested allocating dedicated commercial space on the ground floor of the Sinamalé flats.

He proposed relocating the existing Malé City Council office in the Sinamalé complex to Malé and converting the vacated premises into a shop to serve residents.

Samah also suggested that additional commercial spaces could be allocated to meet other needs of the community.

The council subsequently agreed to refer this proposal to the Urban Committee for consideration alongside the broader review of business activities within the housing complexes.