University informed to evacuate old Jamaaluddheen building within seven days

Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure has informed the Maldives National University (MNU) to evacuate the old Jamaaluddheen School building within seven days from today, stating the building is not suitable for people to enter due to its deteriorated condition. The building currently houses the University’s Faculty of Sharia and Law.

Speaking at a press conference held by Housing Ministry in Velaanaage today, Housing Minister Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that the seven day deadline was given to MNU following the decision was made by the cabinet yesterday.

“The old Jamaaluddheen building used by the University is not suitable to be utilized, so I presented the issue to the cabinet yesterday. The cabinet discussed and decided to inform the University to evacuate the place within seven days. I have informed the University, based on the legal advice from the Attorney General, to evacuate the place within seven from today,” said Muizzu.

He said that the government has declared that the building needs to be evacuated urgently and that other relevant authorities have also been duly notified. He said that the government will not be responsible for any injuries sustained by the student or others if the University fails to evacuate the building within the seven day period.

“We the government have declared that the building needs to be evacuated urgently. We have notified the University to evacuate the place, and also to remove the property currently in the building. We will not be responsible for any injuries to the students, teachers or others who use the building if they fail to evacuate the building within the seven day period,” said Muizzu.

Minister also said that discussions have been held with senior officials of the University earlier and that they have been informed that the condition of the building is bad enough to pose a threat to the lives of the people who use it. He also said that three other buildings or lands have been granted to the University following their request to facilitate them to move. Minister however did not mention the locations or names of the plots or buildings.

Regarding the importance of evacuating the old Jamaaluddheen building, Minister said that the foremost priority of the government is the safety of the public and that even if it means that the University does not have any other place to move and that teaching has to be halted because of it, the government will evacuate the building as necessary for the protection of the people who use it.

He said that the government has decided the demolish the building after evacuation, but said that they have not yet decided on a plan after demolition of the building.

A party of a concrete ceiling had fallen off the building housing Ameeniyya School recently. After studies, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has ordered that 24 classrooms must not be utilized from the building.