After assuming office as mayor of the capital Male' city, new Mayor Adam Azim appealed to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to expand the jurisdiction of Male'.
Azim, who belongs to the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said he did not doubt that President Muizzu would be well aware of the problems facing the people of Male' after serving as mayor during the last two years.
Azim started off by thanking President Muizzu for his services as mayor, after which he requested the inclusion of Giraavaru, Gulhifalhu and Hulhumale' phase three in the jurisdiction of Male' city.
"The people of Male' want to go for a life with housing to areas that will be connected via a bridge. Doing that would be a relief to their hearts that your government could provide. Please include Hulhumale' phase three, Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru in the jurisdiction of Male'," the mayor said.
Mayor Azim urged the government to implement some of the MDP government's housing policies for the Greater Male' region, including providing housing from Uthuru Thila Falhu to residents on the Male' special municipal registry.
Azim's loud declaration of the support from the people of Male' for that policy came after his criticism during the campaign of the government's policy to reclaim the Fushidhiggaru lagoon in south Male' atoll to develop a new city called Rasmale'.
Islands that can be connected via a bridge to Male', the main island of the city, should be developed and populated first, Azim repeated last night as well.
"Fast development would be possible for the area that can be connected with a bridge, by bringing development to those districts. That is what should be done first," Azim said at the ceremony where President Muizzu and several government ministers were in attendance.
In his speech, Azim thanked previous governments for pursuing a policy of promoting a system of decentralization. Characterizing it as a system introduced to the country by the MDP, Azim welcomed incumbent President Muizzu's decision to continue with the system.
Azim's appeal to include Giraavaru, Gulhifalhu and Hulhumale' phase three in the jurisdiction of Male' city was previously made to the government when President Muizzu was mayor. It came before land reclamation began in the Giraavaru and Gulhifalhu lagoons.
