The government has decided to transfer maintenance and municipal work in Hulhumalé from Urbanco to the Malé city council.
In a post on social media platform X last night, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said all municipal services in Hulhumalé will be changed to the city council with effect on Monday.
"Today, in the cabinet, we have decided to change municipal services of Hulhumalé to Malé city council, as clearly mentioned in the law, the process starting from 1st January 2024," the President said.
"The transfer process of office, machinery, equipment, municipal land, staff, etc is to be completed within one month. All staff will continue to receive the same remuneration as they are currently receiving for one year," he said.
Hulhumalé is part of Malé city but the island was under the ownership of Urbanco, a government-owned company. The Malé city council attempted previously to bring Hulhumalé under the council but the former government decided to keep the island under Urbanco.
Amid the dispute in December 2021, the Malé city council canceled the registries of all land registered under Urbanco. But the move was challenged legally and the court overruled the registry cancelation.
Transferring municipal services in Hulhumalé from Urbanco to the Malé city council was a campaign pledge of President Muizzu, which he included among pledges to be fulfilled during the first 100 days in office.
