Market evacuation stalled after sudden road development plan changes and a two-week ultimatum; President is lying: Azim
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has expressed concern over the government's abrupt decision to alter the Male' road development plan, stating that the order to vacate the market area without adequate notice will adversely affect numerous families. Highlighting that relocating traders before the completion of the temporary market will also pose significant challenges for farmers, Azim emphasized that the City Council is working to minimize the impact on citizens. Furthermore, the Mayor noted that previous agreements regarding the market's development were structured in a manner detrimental to the council's interests.
The Male' City Council is currently dismantling the extensions of the local market that encroach onto the street. | Raajje MV
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has refuted claims made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu regarding the Male' street redevelopment project, stating that the President’s remarks—alleging the City Council’s failure to cooperate in clearing the market area—are factually incorrect.
Azim stated that the efforts to vacate the market were hindered because the government abruptly altered the road construction plans and ordered the premises to be cleared without providing adequate notice.
Providing further details on the matter, Mayor Azim stated that the initial road construction plan was scheduled to commence from the area near Nasandhura. However, he noted that the government abruptly altered the plan, ordering the market area to be vacated within a two-week period. Azim explained that the City Council was in the process of constructing a temporary market to relocate the stalls at the time. He emphasized that he could not allow businesses—which serve as the primary livelihood for numerous families—to be displaced and left on the streets before the completion of the temporary facility.
Azim highlighted that beyond the 40 or so families operating in the market, this issue is intrinsically linked to the nation's entire agricultural sector. He stated that the sudden eviction of vendors selling island produce would cause significant losses to farmers, asserting that a head of state should consider the potential impact on citizens before making such decisions. Furthermore, Azim accused the government of attempting to mask its own incompetence by claiming a lack of cooperation from the City Council.
Furthermore, while discussing the development projects for Male’ City’s local market and fish market, Azim stated that the contracts previously awarded by the government were heavily skewed against the interests of the Male’ City Council. He noted that the agreements were structured in a way that would deprive the council of any profit for 25 years, while simultaneously mandating exorbitant payments that the council would be unable to fulfill.
Azim stated that the Male' City Council has always aimed to beautify the city's streets and has consistently cooperated in approving the necessary concepts for such projects. However, the Mayor emphasized that it is unacceptable to be ordered to carry out tasks abruptly and without a proper plan, especially when such actions disrupt the daily lives of citizens. He further noted that the council is currently working at a rapid pace to complete the temporary market and is making the necessary arrangements to relocate the vendors.
