The issue of Dharubaaruge goes to the LGA

The Ministry of Housing has filed a complaint at the Local Government Authority (LGA) against Malé City Council, for refusing to hand over Dharubaaruge to the Housing Ministry, after the Council agreed to do so previously.

Dr. Mohamed Muizz, the Minister for Housing, said today that Malé City Council went back on its word and assurance to hand over Dharubaaruge to the Ministry, with a resolution passed later. He said that the case was referred to the Local Government Authority on Thursday, last week. He said that a final move on the issue would be made after considering the decision of the LGA.

“Members of the City Council met me two times, and we communicated well. Every time, they would say that the key would be handed over to the Ministry the following day. They would ask us not to worry, and say that everything would go well. However, they then ate their words, and passed a resolution not to hand over Dharubaaruge to the Ministry”, said the Minister.

The Minister said that one of the members of the Council called him, following the passing of the resolution, and informed him that the Council decision was made “in the spirit of the party”. Malé City Council includes Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members, except one member from the Divehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP).

“Those members of the Council who had spoken with me earlier, and promised to hand over the place to the Ministry too voted for the resolution, according to the information I have received”, said the Minister.

Minister Muizz said that the City Council refusing to hand over Dharubaaruge to the Ministry was tantamount to obstructing the performance of the Ministry’s legal responsibilities. He said that civil servants employed there have not been able to perform their jobs, and that the issue was already filed at the Civil Service Commission as a complaint.

“Civil servants employed at Dharubaaruge are forced to wait outside, as they cannot enter the place. What we are seeing is indeed uncivilized acts”, said the Minister.

Dharubaaruge is a complex with a number of large halls, where conferences, exhibitions, lectures, parties and other such functions are held. It was built in the mid 90s for A SAARC Summit. When the Ministry of Housing decided to take over the administration of the place from the Malé City Council, and transferred civil servants employed there to the Ministry, the City Council locked down the whole place, and has refused to let anyone enter it.