Govt can

Mayor of Male’ Maizan Ali Manik has said that the government cannot take over Artificial Beach, as long as Male’ City Council does not violate the related Agreement.

A letter sent today to Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muizz by Maizan Ali Manik indicates that Artificial Beach was transferred to Male’ City Council following an agreement made on 19 September 2011 between Finance Ministry, Housing Ministry and Male’ City Council, which states that City Council is responsible for the leasing of Artificial Beach to groups when necessary.

Article 4 of the Agreement states that Artificial Beach can be removed from the authority of City Council in the event that City Council violates the Agreement.

Ali Manik told Sun Online that Housing Ministry had sent a letter to City Council, stating that the land had been removed from the authority of the City Council.

“We have also replied with a letter. The Ministry’s letter didn’t even state what we had done to violate the Agreement,” Ali Manik said.

Male’ City Council’s letter to Housing Ministry states that it is not part of the City Council’s responsibility to inform the Ministry about bookings made for Artificial Beach, and that the City Council will not object to the Ministry taking this issue to Court.

The Cabinet made a decision in July to develop Artificial Beach to include modern facilities, leisure activities, food and drinks; such that the area caters to people of all ages.

The President’s Office said back then that this decision was made following debate on a paper presented by the Housing Ministry.