Male' City Council has revealed the existing pay toilets will be replaced with better quality facilities.
Pay toilets are located in four areas of Male' City. They are in the local market area, behind the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) building, near Aifaanu Building, and on the southern side of Boduthakurufaanu Magu.
In 2010, Male' City Council handed over maintenance of the pay toilets to private parties, and in 2013 extended the agreements to 2025. Various problems regarding the toilets have resulted in the city council's decision to close down the toilets after the issue went through court proceedings. So far, the city council has closed the toilet on Boduthakurufaanu Magu.
Mayor of Male' City Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the city council aims to close the rest of the toilets and open better ones. He said the planning and design work has been completed and a contractor will be hired to build the toilets once the city council completes the survey. He expressed concern over the complaints regarding the current toilets and said it was a result of authorities failing to respond to the knowledge that the buildings are used for activities that are against regulations.
The agreement signed with Male' City Council allows the contractors to use the buildings which house the public toilet for limited commercial purposes such as barbershops and shops that sell toilet accessories. However, some buildings currently house cafes.