The government has announced plans to construct a dedicated building to house the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, marking a significant move to address the chronic shortage of government office space.
This announcement comes months after a devastating fire in December 2024 forced the Ministry’s temporary relocation to the Dharubaaruge convention centre in the capital Male’.
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Abdulla Muththalib confirmed that the project is now in the planning stages, with funds being allocated for its development.
According to Minister Muththalib, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has designated a 30,000-square-foot plot of land for the future Ministry headquarters. The need for a permanent, fit-for-purpose base is acute, as the Ministry's mandate has recently been expanded to include public works and it employs a workforce of over 600 people, he added.
"The problem is that there is no place to run government offices," he said, highlighting a systemic issue that has long plagued successive governments. He further noted that work is underway to build another office building in Male' to alleviate the overall strain.
The government's strategy to reduce its reliance on expensive private rentals includes developing a 14-storey office building in Hulhumale’. However, the Minister acknowledged that financial uncertainties have delayed the awarding of that contract. He also mentioned plans for the eventual redevelopment of the currently occupied Dharubaaruge site.
The fire that precipitated this crisis destroyed three government ministry buildings and damaged part of the adjacent Male’ City Council. It exacerbated an existing shortage caused by the demolition of the aged Huravee and Ghaazee buildings, which had previously housed many state offices. This has forced the government to lease private premises at a high cost.
A step towards a solution is already evident in Hulhumale’, where a new government building hosts three ministries, a model the new Infrastructure Ministry headquarters aims to replicate.