President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has accused the Malé City Council of delaying the government’s plans to develop a modern fish market in the capital, while assuring that the administration will find a way to move the project forward.
Speaking in the second episode of the government’s podcast series The Pulse, released on Thursday, President Muizzu said all preparations required to begin construction had been completed several months ago, but work has yet to commence because the project site has not been handed over by the City Council.
According to the President, financing for the project has already been secured through the Bank of Maldives, and a contractor was identified by the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture approximately four months ago.
“We have been ready for about four months. The only reason the project has not started is because the Council has not handed over the land,” President Muizzu said.
Describing the situation as disappointing, the President alleged that the City Council has repeatedly failed to transfer the site despite various discussions and requests.
“Different reasons and excuses have been put forward, but we will find a solution and move ahead with the project,” he added.
President Muizzu stressed that obstructing projects promised to the public would benefit no one, reiterating the government’s commitment to completing the modern fish market by next year’s Fishermen’s Day.
The development of a modern fish market has been one of the administration’s key fisheries infrastructure pledges, aimed at improving facilities for fishers and modernizing fish trade operations in the capital.
The project to develop the Malé Wet Market Complex was awarded to Trusteng Maldives on March 15 this year.
According to the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development, official correspondence requesting the transfer of the required land plot was sent to the Malé City Council on four separate occasions. However, the ministry says the site has yet to be formally handed over.
The MVR 117 million project is being implemented under a contractor-finance model and is scheduled for completion within two years.
Once completed, the six-storey complex is expected to provide approximately 85,000 square feet of space and feature modern facilities aimed at enhancing fish handling, storage and market operations.
The existing fish market in Malé has long faced criticism over congestion, limited space and inadequate facilities, with successive governments pledging to modernize the sector to better serve fishers and consumers.
The latest remarks by the President come amid ongoing disagreements between the central government and the opposition-controlled Malé City Council over several development projects in the capital.
