Water Drainage Pump Station at Maafannu Cemetery Damaged Due to Contractor’s Actions, Says Minister

Construction Minister Dr Abdullah Muththalib has revealed that the water drainage pump station at Maafannu Cemetery has been damaged, allegedly due to negligence on the part of the contractor employed by the Male’ City Council to clear the area. 

Muththalib shared photographs on X, showing that the pipes connected to the pump station had been removed, the concrete demolished, and the electrical board taken out. He noted that, as a result, the drainage of floodwater in the area has been significantly slowed.

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I acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the damage of the stormwater pump station at Maafannu Cemetery.
However, it is important to clarify that this pump station was not functional at the time of this incident. The electrical equipment installed at the station had been… https://t.co/5DZ0PLHYZs pic.twitter.com/3tQfQk4YVo— Mayor of Male’ City – Adam Azim (@adamazim) January 11, 2025

The Minister also pointed out that the City Council had not informed the Ministry before carrying out the work.

He also described the contractor’s actions as irresponsible. He explained that the contractor had removed and damaged pipes linked to the stormwater pump station situated within the cemetery, which is responsible for draining water from the Maafannu area.

މާލެ ސިޓީގެ ފެން ހިންދާ ނިޒާމު ޤާއިމުކޮށްފައިވާ ސަރަހައްދުތަކާ ގުޅޭ pic.twitter.com/wWkBE4M5Fh— Ministry of Construction, Housing & Infrastructure (@MoCImv) January 11, 2025

Muththalib stated that the damage occurred after the graves were removed and the area was cleared. He further emphasised that the Ministry had been maintaining the pump stations and had informed the City Council of this fact. 

The Minister also mentioned that the contractor had sent a letter to arrange a meeting regarding maintenance matters, even though the Ministry was already overseeing the maintenance of the pump stations.

Following Muththalib’s comments, Male’ Mayor Adam Azim responded on X, stating that the pump station had not been operational for approximately five months prior to the removal of its parts. He claimed that the station’s electrical board had been damaged by unknown individuals. 

However, Muththalib contradicted Azim’s statement, insisting that the pump station had been working during the heavy rain on 3 January, and no issues had been detected at that time. He added that Ministry staff regularly inspect the pump stations during rainfall to ensure their functionality.