City Council agrees to hand over Dharubaaruge

City Council has agreed with the government to hand over Dharubaaruge to Housing Ministry tomorrow.

Housing Ministry said that this decision was made after discussion between Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muizzu and several Councillors today.

City Council Member Mohamed Abdul Kareem (Rukuma) said that this decision was made when the government assured that they will not obstruct City Council in carrying out its responsibilities as required by the law. He noted that regardless of who operates Dharubaaruge, the money generated will go to the state:

“We can also operate Dharubaaruge, but we decided to let them take over as per their wishes. But that is on the condition that they don’t obstruct us in carrying out our responsibilities. That’s what we have agreed on.”

He said that work in underway by City Council employees and Housing Ministry personnel to take inventory of Dharubaaruge, which will be completed by tomorrow.

Housing Ministry said that it was agreed to release more space to City Council and to provide assistance for City Council’s projects in Hulhumale’. Also, more space will be provided for administrative departments of City Council.

Rukuma said that the issue of Huravee building was also discussed today, and it was agreed to hold an additional meeting with the Ministry after conducting some research into this issue.

“We have historic papers and files of Male’ stored in those offices. We requested them to make available another storage facility for these files. They also agreed. So the space in Huravee building will be handed over to the government after conducting a study,” Rukuma said.

City Council had filed a case to court following the transfer of employees of Dharubaaruge to civil services without informing City Council.

City Council noted that despite coming to an agreement with the Ministry today, they do not intend to revoke the case filed to court.

Local Government Authority (LGA) announced yesterday that action will be taken against Councils which fail to follow rules and regulations.