Mayor: Police authorized to halt unregistered marketplaces in Male’

Male’ City Mayor Shifa Mohamed said on Tuesday that the city council has not issued permits for marketplaces to be run in any areas of Male’ except for those in the bazaar district, and that the police and Health Protection Agency (HPA) have the authority to halt such business operations.

In a tweet on Tuesday morning, Shifa said that the city council has issued permits for only three marketplaces in Male’; the local market, the fishermen’s market, and the travelers’ market.

All three marketplaces are located in the bazaar district of the capital.

Shifa said that both the local market and travelers’ market have been redeveloped and opened for local vendors.

 “The marketplaces throughout Male’ aren’t being run with permission from the council. The police and HPA have the authority to stop such operations,” she said.

Councilun huhdha dheegen hingaa Maleygaa huri hamaekani local market masmarket dhathuruveringe market, mi thanthan dhivehinah hingumah mivani furusath dhevifai . Mulhi Maleygaa market hingani council huhdhanagaigenehnoon.Ethanthan huhtumuge baaru polihunashai HPA ah onaane .

— Shifa Mohammed???? (@SifaMohammed) July 28, 2020

Shifa’s statement comes amid complaints from vendors at the local market and the travelers’ market that the small marketplaces for fruits and vegetables which have popped up in locations throughout Male’ is driving down the demand for their products.

However, the marketplaces are seen as a huge convenience for local consumers.