Mayor Azim appeals for jurisdiction of entire Male’, including Hulhumale’

Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim urged President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday to have the jurisdiction of the entire Male’, including Hulhumale’, transferred to the Male’ City Council, as required by law.

Azim, the only Male’ City councilor to win re-election in the April polls, made the appeal in his address on Sunday morning, at the ceremony held at the Social Center during which newly-elected councilors took their oath of office.

Addressing the ceremony, Azim said that having the city council take over the jurisdiction of the entire Male’, including Hulhumale’, was one of the greatest wishes of the people of Male’.

“I sincerely appeal to the President to get this – which the government is required by law to do – done,” he said.

Azim also noted that lack of housing remains the greatest crisis facing Male’.

He appealed to the government to expedite land reclamation projects and resolve the crisis as soon as possible.

“As such, expedite land reclamation in the greater Male’ area, in Giraavaru Falhu, Gulhifalhu, Uthuru Thila Falhu… All areas that will be connected via bridge. A resolution to this great housing crisis we face in Male’ is something we all hope to see,” he said.

Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Male’ City Council and Finance Ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding back on January 4, 2024, seeking to transfer all municipal services in Hulhumale’ from HDC to the city council.

The MOU had stipulated that HDC must cease municipal services within one month, and must provide city council with the work sites and office stamps they would need for the work free of cost for a one-year period.

However, the transfer of municipal services remains incomplete, over two years on.

The law dictates that municipal services in Male’ City, Hulhumale’ and Vilimale’ must be provided by the Male’ City Council.