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The ceremony previously held to unveil plans to develop an underground parking facility and a public park on part of the former Jamaluddin School plot. Photo: Male City Council

MALÉ: The Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development has issued a formal directive instructing the Male City Council to immediately halt all ongoing operations at the property previously occupied by Jamaluddin School.

In an official letter signed by State Minister Ismail Hamid and delivered to Male Mayor Adam Azim, the ministry clarified that permission granted to the council in September 2024 was strictly limited to lowering boundary walls, cleaning the plot, and maintaining security. The initial temporary permit was issued following public complaints regarding waste dumping and antisocial behavior on the vacant land.

However, the ministry noted recent unauthorized physical works being executed at the location by the city council. The letter emphasized that the land was never allocated to the Male City Council for its own independent use or projects.

According to the ministry, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided in February 2024 to turn the plot into a public space featuring an underground motorcycle parking facility, a family park, and a General Practitioner (GP) clinic. The housing ministry confirmed it is actively executing the necessary procedures to realize the presidential plan.

The ministry also highlighted that the city council failed to respond to previous official requests from the planning ministry seeking clarification regarding unauthorized work previously carried out on the site.

Key structural and historical details concerning the former Jamaluddin School plot include:

• Site Location: Land previously housing Jamaluddin School and later utilized as an Elections Commission focal center.

• Previous Allocation Plans: Former administration divided the land between an Arabiyya School expansion and Jamaluddin School space needs.

• Revised Arabiyya Project: Current administration relocated the new Arabiyya School project to Block 381, the former waste transfer area.

• Presidential Facility Plan: Underground motorcycle parking structure, community park, and a local GP clinic.