Deputy mayor says Galolhu Park was reopened without informing councilors or staff

Deputy Mayor Mohamed Areesh has accused Mayor Adam Azim of reopening Galolhu Park on Tuesday without informing any councilor or council employee.

The park, located in front of the National Drug Agency (NDA), was reopened after ten years. Photos released by the city council showed no councilors present at the event.

Speaking to Sun, Areesh said the reopening was handled poorly.

“None of our councilors knew the mayor was opening the park. There was no mention of it in any of our WhatsApp groups. No employee was informed,” he said.

The redevelopment of the park was first discussed on October 25, 2022, during former Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure. Areesh said the council approved the project after consulting residents.

He said he only learned about the reopening through news reports and social media posts.

“The councilors discussed it, the councilors passed the budget, the councilors oversaw the work. But the mayor opened it alone,” Areesh said, adding that the project was the collective effort of all councilors.

After Tuesday’s opening, Mayor Azim posted that the redevelopment cost MVR 2.5 million from the council budget and took eight months to complete.

The upgraded park includes a badminton court, a three‑on‑three basketball court, exercise areas for all ages, and spaces for relaxation.

Areesh said these features were proposed by the public during consultations, and were not decisions made solely by the former mayor.

Azim is currently contesting the opposition MDP primary for the mayoral ticket. In his campaign, he has highlighted the lack of MDP councilors as a major challenge and has pledged to develop more public squares to make the city more comfortable.