City Council: Male’ Hiya not fit for human inhabitation

Male’ City Council has said that Male’ Hiya flats – located in Galolhu districts of Male’ – is not fit for human inhabitation.

Speaking during press conference held by the council on Sunday, South-Galolhu councilwoman, Fathimath Rizween (South Faathun) said that the majority of people in South Galolhu lived in Sina-Male’ I, Sina-Male’ II, Sina-Male’ III, Male’ Hiya I, and Male’ Hiya II – but that some of the flats in the buildings were not fit for human inhabitation – especially the flats in Male’ Hiya.

“The condition of Male’ Hiya flats are worse than the condition of the first housing flats built in Male’ – Sina-Male’ I, II and III. Male’ Hiya was built in a very short period of time. There is no safety in terms of quality,” said Faathun.

The councilwoman said that those inhabiting the top floors of Male’ Hiya had no guarantee living there safely during the next couple of years.

“Citizens living on the top floors have no guarantee the sheets won’t come off and they aren’t going to fall down. I do not have any hope people can live in it,” she said.

Faathun said that the buildings needed to be inspected and repaired.

Mayor Mohamed Shihab speaking as Deputy Mayor Shifa Mohamed looks on. Sun photo: Maahil Mohamed

Deputy Mayor Shifa Mohamed said that they had requested for assistance from Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure to conduct a survey to access the safety of the buildings, but had not received any adequate response from them.

Mayor Mohamed Shihab said that the Council asked for an engineering study, which Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure said they could not conduct.

He said that Ministry of Finance had rejected their request for financial assistance to conduct an inspection as the Council did not employ experts needed.

“Now it’s a fire. Next it could be something more tragic,” said Shihab.

“Sun” has been unable to get a comment from Ministry of Finance regarding the claims by City Council.