Two years on: Hulhumale' municipal service transfer stalled

The transfer of municipal services in Hulhumale', currently managed by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), to the Male' City Council has faced significant delays, now approaching its second year.

Discussions regarding the transfer of all municipal services to the council first emerged in early 2022, during the tenure of the current president, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, as the Mayor of Male' City. At that time, the council resolved to submit a proposal to the President's Office to assume responsibility for Hulhumale's municipal services.

Within three days of taking office, the interim government initiated the process to bring all municipal services in Male' and Villimale' under the council's purview. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was subsequently signed on January 4 of the previous year. The Finance Ministry also issued a press release stating that HDC would cease providing municipal services within one month of the MoU's signing.

However, despite these initial steps, the transfer of services remains incomplete almost two years later.

Last Wednesday, Mayor Adam Azim expressed his conviction at a news conference that the public's elected councilors are best positioned to provide optimal services in Male' City, emphasizing that municipal services should fall under the council's jurisdiction.

Azim contended that individuals appointed to positions cannot serve the public more effectively than elected representatives. He cited the lingering issue of a garbage dump near the Hulhumale' cemetery as an example of the challenges faced.

"Male' City Council, the council here at the moment, HDC couldn’t do anything better than this council, because the people can only be served by people who are elected by the people," he stated.

He further clarified that the Male' City Council has been urging HDC to address the landfills and that the councilors are actively engaged in these matters. "If there is anything that bothers the people, we are telling them to fix and clean these places. That is how we are working," he added.

Azim alleged that HDC's reluctance to transfer municipal services stems from a lack of desire to provide the best service to the populace. He revealed that the Male' City Council had sent a letter to discuss the matter even after Ali Zuhair assumed the role of Managing Director of HDC (formerly Managing Director of the Road Development Corporation), but HDC has yet to respond.

"We are still ready to take over," Azim reiterated.

HDC has not responded to repeated requests for comment on the ongoing situation.

When questioned about the delay, Hulhumale' councilor Ali Aiman attributed it, in part, to the resignation of HDC's initial Managing Director, Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed. Aiman confirmed that discussions continued after Mohamed Mauroof Jameel took over as the corporation's Managing Director.

A significant hurdle in the transfer of municipal services to the council, according to Aiman, is the proposed transfer of approximately 300 HDC employees to the council. He highlighted a substantial disparity in salaries, noting, "Male' City Council is civil, [HDC] is an SOE, so there is a huge difference in salary. Many employees do not want to change."

While the council aims to offer competitive salaries, the Civil Service Commission is responsible for establishing the salary criteria for civil servants, as the council employs individuals under civil service guidelines.

It is noteworthy that the President's decision to transfer Hulhumale's municipal services to the Male' City Council has raised concerns among some HDC employees. However, assurances have been provided that the salaries and allowances of any employee transferred to the Male' City Council will not be reduced.

Legally, the council is mandated to provide municipal services in Hulhumale'.