Minister says council is refusing registrations; MP pushes for joint solution with ministry

Housing Minister Dr Abdullah Muthalib on Monday said the reason residents of Male' City are unable to register their addresses is because the Male' City Council is refusing to carry out the process, prompting calls for the ministry and the council to consult and resolve the issue.

Speaking during Monday’s parliament sitting, North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) said the council has stated that a residents’ registry cannot be created under the lease agreement with Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC). He asked what would happen to the residents of the FDC flats if the registry cannot be created under the current agreement.

In response, Muthalib said residence registration is carried out after flat recipients have paid the required fees. He described the council’s refusal to register residents as an act that “harasses the public”, adding that the council was withholding registration without legal justification.

He said the Housing Ministry has formally instructed the council to register Male' City residents.

“It is not the government’s decision that Male' City Council does not do the work,” Muthalib said.

Kudu, in a letter to the Mayor, requested that the ministry and the council hold consultations to resolve the issue of residents being unable to register in Male' City.

He also enclosed a letter sent last April by Housing Ministry Permanent Secretary Mohamed Shamil to Mayor Azim and FDC Managing Director Hamdhan Shakeel. In the letter to Azim, Shamil asked the council to register recipients of FDC flats and their dependents in the Male' Residents Register in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

The letter to Hamdhan instructed FDC to allow the council to register flat recipients and their dependents under the housing scheme.