City Council seeks to take over municipal services in Hulhumale’

Male’ City Council has made the decision to submit a proposal to the President’s Office, seeking to take over municipal services in suburban Hulhumale’. 

Male’ City Council discussed taking over municipal services in Hulhumale’ during the 38th genral meeting of the fourth session on Wednesday. 

All councilors who participated in the meeting voted in favor of requesting President’s Office for authorization to take over municipal services in Hulhumale’. 

Speaking at the meeting, Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stressed that Hulhumale’ fell within the jurisdiction of Male’. 

According to Decentralization Act, Male’ City Council is required to provide all services it provides in Male’ in Hulhumale’ as well. 

Muizzu said that despite the legal provision, no city council has planned to provide the services in Hulhumale’. 

He said that providing the services as stipulated on Decentralization Act had been on the strategic action plan unveiled by the current city council. 

Muizzu said that the Male’ City Council wished to provide municipal services in all regions of Male’, including Hulhumale’. 

He said that the Male’ City Council would provide services to the benefit of the people if the President’s Office granted authorization, but also said that the lack of budget to provide municipal services in Hulhumale’ posed a challenge. 

Municipal services in Hulhumale’ are currently provided by Housing Development Corporation (HDC). 

Hulhumale’ councilman Ibrahim Shujau alleged that though the government wishes for the Male’ City Council to take over municipal services in Hulhumale’, HDC was opposed to the move and was already obstructing the council from making the change. 

Male’ City Council has cancelled the land registry for Hulhumale’ issued to HDC in December – which HDC met with a lawsuit. 

The court has issued an injunction to suspend the implementation of the council’s decision until the court reaches a decision.