The Deputy Mayor of Male’ City Council, Mohamed Areesh has stated that the City Council has not taken any practical steps so far to take over municipal services in Hulhumale’.
His remarks come amid differing views within the council on the proposed handover of Hulhumale’s municipal services from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to the City Council.
The transfer of municipal services to city councils is a key policy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, and aims to strengthen decentralisation and empower local councils.
During a community meeting with the residents of Hulhumale’ Phase I, President Muizzu revealed that the City Council has not agreed to assume responsibility for municipal services in Hulhumale’, which is why HDC continues to manage them on a temporary basis. However, following the statement, Male’ City Mayor Ali Azim denied the claims, and said the government has not taken steps to formally hand over municipal services to the City Council.
Rejecting the mayor’s remarks, Areesh explained that the mayor has not brought the matter to a council vote, which is required for the City Council to decide on assuming responsibility. He questioned how the handover could proceed without such a vote, and said that if the mayor were sincere, the issue should be formally presented to the council. He added that the mayor’s statements appeared to be politically motivated.