Mayor Azim: Fish Market leased below bid price under Muizzu

Current Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has revealed that during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's tenure as Mayor of Malé City, the fish market management was leased to a company at a significantly lower rate than what was originally established by the Malé City Council's bid committee.

During a council meeting on Wednesday, Azim, a member of the opposition MDP, stated that the current council had initially intended to extend the agreement with the company operating the fish market for an additional year.

However, upon discovering that the market was leased at a reduced price in the previous council term, the current council has decided against extending the contract. Instead, they are proposing to re-auction the management rights to hire a new contractor.

Mayor Azim explained that this proposal stems from concerns over "loopholes" in the existing deal, making an extension potentially not in the best interest of the city.

President Muizzu served as Mayor from May 17, 2021. City council documents indicate that the agreement for the Fish Market and its associated commercial spaces on other floors was signed on October 21, 2021.

According to Mayor Azim, the bid committee had initially set the rental price at MVR 130,000. However, another committee subsequently reduced this to MVR 70,000.

"So many electricity bills unpaid, totalling MVR 4,37,917.26. The bid committee decided on MVR 130,000. That decision was later changed by another committee. I am obtaining legal advice, as this should not be possible," stated Male' City Mayor Adam Azim.

The Mayor further noted that these details were revealed in previously unseen documents, necessitating further investigation by the council. Azim warned that if such discrepancies are not addressed and the market continues to operate under the current terms, serious allegations could be leveled against the Malé City Council.

Azim affirmed that relevant documents would continue to be disclosed as they are discovered. During the meeting, it was decided that the matter would be referred to the council's land committee for thorough scrutiny.