Azim challenges HDC’s grip on Hulhumalé, claims city council can deliver what residents are being denied
Hulhumalé is currently administered by HDC, but residents complain about poor service delivery. Malé City Mayor Adam Azim claims the City Council would manage the area more effectively if given authority, pointing to improvements he has made. However, President Muizzu, who previously supported the transfer, now states the council refused responsibility, which Mayor Azim denies.
HDC Office Building | Mihaaru
Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has stated that the City Council would deliver municipal services in Hulhumalé far more effectively than the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) if responsibility for the area were transferred to the council.
At present, Hulhumalé is administered and provided with municipal services by HDC. However, many residents have voiced dissatisfaction, citing poor service delivery.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s morning talk show “Fashaairu” on Sunday, Mayor Azim said that if all municipal functions in Hulhumalé were handed over to the City Council, they would be implemented more efficiently through a structured and comprehensive plan.
He pointed to the council’s continuous efforts to improve public services, noting that the Malé City Council had previously operated from nine separate locations. After taking office, he consolidated all administrative functions into a single building to improve efficiency, addressing an issue that had remained unresolved for 15 years.
Mayor Azim also claimed that corruption and theft within the Malé City Council have been stopped, stressing that a zero-tolerance approach is now in place. He said that any irregularities currently identified are being reported to the relevant authorities for investigation.
According to Azim, the public has recognized these improvements. He reiterated that if Hulhumalé were placed under the council’s authority, it would be managed in line with residents’ wishes and would deliver visible results.
Despite these assurances, the current administration has shown reluctance to transfer municipal services in Hulhumalé to the Malé City Council. During his tenure as Mayor, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had supported placing all municipal responsibilities in Hulhumalé under the City Council, expressing concern about a corporation managing such services. Since becoming president, however, his position appears to have changed. In a recent meeting with Hulhumalé residents, President Muizzu said that the Malé City Council was unwilling to assume responsibility and had refused the opportunity.
Mayor Azim has categorically rejected the president’s claims.
