MALE’ — The Male’ City Council has officially approved a project to develop a state-of-the-art wet market in Hulhumalé Phase 2, aiming to improve food safety standards and enhance public infrastructure in the rapidly growing residential district.
The decision was made during the 11th official general meeting of the council’s fifth term. The proposal was formally submitted by Fathimath Zahiyya (Zaya), the council member representing the Hulhumalé North constituency. According to Zahiyya, establishing modern wet market facilities in both Hulhumalé Phase 2 and Villimalé is essential to ensure that residents have reliable access to safely stored fish, fruits, and vegetables under strict hygienic conditions.
Zahiyya pointed to recent hygiene failures in existing facilities as a primary driver for the proposal. She specifically highlighted a viral social media video showing a rat eating watermelon inside the market in Hulhumalé Phase 1. The incident sparked widespread public outrage and prompted many residents to express concern over food safety standards. Commending the citizen who recorded and shared the video to draw attention to the issue, Zahiyya stressed that establishing modern, sanitary infrastructure for basic food supplies is a non-negotiable duty for the city council.
Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, Zahiyya noted that Hulhumalé Phase 2 is currently one of the fastest-growing residential areas in the Maldives, with thousands of households residing in high-density housing towers. She added that Villimalé is also on the verge of significant population growth due to upcoming housing developments—including a 300-flat residential project—and the anticipated completion of the bridge connecting Malé and Villimalé next year.
In addition to approving the wet market project, the Male’ City Council also decided during the same session to instruct the Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) to urgently launch a specialized project to resolve ongoing sewage overflow issues affecting several junction points across Hulhumalé.
