Azim accused of unlawfully leasing Male’ land plots for long term

North Galolhu constituency Councilor Mohamed Saif Fathih has requested the details of all land plots owned by Male’ City Council from Male’ Mayor Adam Azim.

In a letter sent to Azim on Sunday, Said, citing Male’ roads, vacant public spaces, parks and sports facilities as Male’ residents’ property, said it is the responsibility of Male’ City Council to ensure they are used in a way that maximizes public interest and benefit.

As such, he said such locations should be leased or developed after deliberating the matter in official council meetings and with due consideration to public opinion.

Saif underscored his repeated requests to Azim seeking the details of land plots from Male’ that have been leased for various durations have gone unanswered to date. He added that he brought up the issue during three official council meetings, to which the Mayor responded by saying that the list was still being compiled.

Saif noted that a small committee, formed during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure as Mayor, had entered into agreements with private parties to lease vacant public spaces, parks, and green areas in Malé for development without the Council’s approval between 2021 and 2023. He pointed out that this was flagged by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Local Government Authority (LGA), and the Parliament’s Decentralization Committee, yet no action has been taken in response.

He detailed that the Council’s Articles of Association were amended in June 2023, based on a proposal he led, to require that any decision to lease or allocate land plots in Malé for development must be approved by a majority vote of councilors during an official council meeting.

Saif accused Azim of violating the amendment to unlawfully lease land plots from Male’ for long term.

“It has been 533 days since you became the mayor. The registry of land plots has not been published as required by the law, with contradictions as an excuse. But land plots are being issued regularly,” he said.

Sun has been unsuccessful in efforts to obtain a comment from Azim regarding the allegations.

Speaking during a Raajje TV program on Sunday night, Azim, citing the details of land plots owned by Male’ City Council has not been published in 15 years, said the details will be published within two years of his mayorship.

Azim, who took office on January 22, 2024, stated that the majority of the list has been completed. However, he expressed his intention to ensure the list is free of errors before making it public.

Azim defended himself, citing Saif had voted in favor when the Council decided to lease the land plots.

Saif refuted Azim’s remarks, claiming he has never voted in favor of unlawfully leasing land plots owned by the Council.

“The agendas of the meetings are accessible. The meetings are livestreamed. If a vote was taken to lease these land plots, it would be known,” he said.

After assuming office, Azim, a member of the opposition MDP, has alleged that the Malé City Council’s records were poorly maintained and that council-owned land plots were leased out under conflicting policies.