The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development says the MVR 117 million project to modernise the Malé Market has been delayed because the Malé City Council has not handed over the required land.

In a statement issued today, the ministry said construction of the Malé Wet Market Complex has already been awarded to Trusteng Maldives, but work cannot begin until the site is vacated and transferred to the ministry.

The ministry said it sent four letters to the council on 29 March, 12 April, 3 May and 18 May requesting the land. It added that Mayor Adam Azim had asked to meet the minister before the land is handed over.

The project is scheduled for completion within two years. The six-storey complex will provide 85,000 square feet of space, including basement parking, a fish market, three floors for agricultural produce, and a rooftop food court.

The building will also include five lifts and a five-tonne ice machine.

The ministry said the project is an important development for residents of Malé and that the government aims to begin and complete the work as soon as possible. Repayment for the project will be made over 50 months.