President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has underscored that empowering and politically aligning the Malé City Council with the government is essential to resolving the capital’s most pressing challenges, as major infrastructure and urban renewal projects move forward.
The President made the remarks tonight while addressing supporters at the opening of the People’s National Congress office at H. Veyovela on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, opposite the artificial beach, where a large crowd gathered.
He said the government’s approach prioritises decentralisation and council empowerment, stressing that development is most effective when implemented through cooperative local authorities rather than centralised control. According to the President, day-to-day cooperation from the City Council is critical, warning that a lack of support would inevitably create obstacles to progress.
Highlighting ongoing works in Malé, President Muizzu said road development is advancing phase by phase under a Chinese grant aid project that has now reached the practical implementation stage. He added that Boduthakurufaanu Magu is currently being widened and upgraded by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company.
Looking ahead, the President announced plans to develop new parks and public squares to create more liveable and welcoming public spaces for residents. He said council cooperation is vital for granting permits and facilitating these projects, noting that he does not favour transferring such sites to direct central government control and instead prefers implementation through an empowered council.
However, he cautioned that if the City Council operates in a manner that does not align with government policies or fails to cooperate, it would be extremely difficult to resolve Malé’s long-standing and serious issues, including housing and urban congestion.
Appealing directly to voters in the capital, President Muizzu urged Malé residents to elect the mayoral candidate from his party and support all party candidates contesting the City Council, arguing that a unified local team is necessary to deliver solutions at the grassroots level.
He said the trust previously placed in him by the people of Malé, first as mayor and later as President, continues to guide his work, particularly in addressing the housing crisis and other structural challenges facing the city. According to the President, meaningful progress in Malé now depends on a cooperative City Council capable of translating national policy into tangible improvements for residents.
