We are more or less managing a government: Mayor Alibe

Mayor Maizan Ali Manik (Alibe) has said that Male’ City Council manages what is more or less a government, and thus require buildings and offices to carry out their responsibilities according to the decentralisation act.

Referring to the government taking over areas which previously belonged to City Council such as Dharubaaruge, Raalhugan’du area, and parts of Huravee building, Alibe told reporters at a press conference that the new government is attempting to seize control of areas which rightfully belong to City Council according to existing rules. Moreover, this interferes with the public services currently being provided by City Council.

“We are managing more or less an entire government... what I mean is that we manage part of Education Ministry, that is, we manage preschools; we operate and monitor mosques, we handle garbage, and we handle registration of land. You will see the extent of our responsibilities if you take a look at the decentralisation act,” Alibe said.

He stated that no discussions have taken place between City Council and the government to resolve the current issues; with some ministries having refused to talk with City Council.

Alibe said that if the government wishes to reclaim a space which belongs to City Council, City Council will release them to the government; but the government should facilitate a replacement space for City Council to carry out its responsibilities:

“We will release them to the government, we won’t hold on to these spaces. But they should consider whether we have enough space to do what we have to do.”

Referring to Housing Minister Mohamed Muiz, Maafannu Uthuru Councillor Hassan Afeef (Janbu Hassan) said that he will not accept it just because some ‘black, big person’ claims that he is Housing Minister:

“A black, tall, white haired man coming and telling us he is Housing Minister and asking us to leave the place – we won’t accept it. We were elected; they came to power through a coup.”

Housing Minister Muiz said that Housing Ministry is not attempting to seize control over any authority of City Council.

He noted that a large area of City Council’s offices in Huravee building was already empty; they were therefore asked to vacate the premises following a request by President’s Office which intends to use this space for the operation of two new ministries.

City Council posed a lot of unnecessary problems to Housing Ministry following this request.

Muiz said that he is willing and ready to hold discussions with City Council to resolve the issues.