Mayor Azim: Fish market contract poses major losses; council seeks cancellation

Male' City Mayor Adam Azim said Monday that the council is working to cancel the agreement for the redevelopment of the Male' fish (wet) market, warning that the current contract could cost the council the market site for 25 years if USD 9.5 million is not paid to the contractor.

Speaking at a press conference held to release the audit report on the project, Azim said the agreement, signed shortly before he assumed office, poses “serious financial risks” to the council.

The original contract for the project was valued at USD 6.1 million, but was later revised to USD 9.6 million. Azim said the price was altered multiple times without proper justification.

“If the contractor is not paid the USD 9.5 million in the contract, the project becomes the contractor’s property for 25 years. This means we will lose the fish market site, the local market will be lost, and nothing will be done for 25 years,” Azim said.

He said the matter has now been referred to the Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Auditor General’s Office for investigation.

The fish market redevelopment was initiated during the mayoralty of Mohamed Muizzu. The council had announced bids, evaluated proposals and awarded the project for USD 6.1 million. However, before the mayoral seat became vacant on November 17, 2023, and before Azim took office, the agreement was cancelled and a new contract was signed with a different company.

The revised agreement was signed on behalf of the council by Ali Naseer Gasim, head of the council’s legal section. Azim told a council meeting on August 20 that Naseer had not explained why a new agreement was required or why the project cost had increased by USD 3.5 million.

Several council meetings were later cancelled due to lack of quorum, with the PNC‑majority council failing to proceed with agenda items related to the issue.