Neelan blaze: Male’ City Council workers still await permanent housing

Male’ City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Sunday, revealed that Male’ City Council workers affected in the blaze which spread from the Neelan Fihaara – an unregulated auction marketplace – to their accommodation block back in January still await permanent housing.

The accommodation block, which housed 202 city council workers, burned to the ground in the fire. Subsequently, the government arranged temporary housing for them in Farukolhufushi.

Mayor Muizzu, in January, said approximately one month will be required to arrange permanent housing for the workers.

Updating on the progress in this trajectory – Mayor Muizzu, on Sunday, told Sun that no place has yet been arranged to accommodate these workers. He added that the government has not allocated a budget for the purpose as well.

“City Council is working on arranging permanent housing for the workers. Our aim is to confirm these arrangements as soon as possible,” he said.

Two double-decker buses from Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) have been arranged for the transportation of the staff from Farukolhufushi to Male' for their work.

The fire broke out at the Neelan Fihaara at approximately 06:00am on January 9^th and was controlled through joint effort of the police, MNDF, and civilians at approximately 07:30 am.

The workers impacted by the fire were initially taken to a makeshift relief center set up at the Imaadhuddin School.