Mayor Azim raise concern over confusion in Male' fish market contracts

Two contracts, each worth millions, have been signed for the development of the Male' fish market, but it remains unclear which one is valid, Mayor Adam Azim said today.

Azim said that the first contract, valued at USD 6.1 million, was signed when the mayoral post was vacant as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was about to take office. The second contract, for USD 9.6 million, was awarded to FJ Design, reportedly against the bid committee’s recommendation.

“The second contract appears to have been signed to the detriment of the council,” Azim said, adding that he has sent a memo to the signatory seeking clarification on the policy basis and authorization for the agreement.

Documents related to the contracts are still being recovered after the council’s email system was reset. The mayor expressed concern that non-payment of the USD 9.6 million could lead to the transfer of land to the contractor.

Azim said that it is unclear how rights were transferred between contracts, both contracts share the same number, and bid documents for the second contract are unavailable.

He also highlighted confusion over construction requirements, stating that relocation of market stalls, initially thought necessary, is not required under the second contract. Work has already begun at a cost of MVR 2.1 million.

Councilor Saif Fathih criticized the handling of the contracts, calling for the removal of officials involved and urging transparency in all council agreements.

“What a big risk. Even the mayor does not know how contracts were transferred, inflated, or altered,” he said.