The much-anticipated project to install CCTV cameras in mosques and public parks in Male' City has been completed and launched officially. The project is a key milestone in the five-year Strategic Action Plan of the Male' City Council. The official launch happened at last night's Second Public Consultation of the City Council. The new service was launched by the Mayor of Male', Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
The new 24-hour CCTV network includes multiple image angles in 39 mosques, as well as Lonuziyaaraiy Park and Sultan Park. In the coming weeks, all remaining parks in both Male' and Villimale' will be included in the surveillence network.
The CCTV surveillence project was a recurrent request by residents of the city during Dr. Muizzu's election campaign, and hopes to address the sharp increase in unlawful and unethical actions in sanctified grounds of the city's mosques. Alarmed residents had requested the Mayor to take urgent action to put an end to these violations.
"This is a key pledge, and am delighted that we have been able to fulfill our promise to the people to launch round-the-clock surveillence of mosques in the city", Dr. Mohamed Muizzu noted in his remarks at last night's Second Public Consultation.
The project was funded through the City Council's budget. The surveillence network will be operated by the Maldives Police Service. The Mayor expressed his firm confidence that it would be a major deterrent for vandals and delinquents from engaging in unlawful acts in mosques.
"Hulhumale' is not included as yet. As you know, municipal services in Hulhumale' has not been devolved to the Male' City Council. We hope that the government will respect the law and move away from their practice of treating Hulhumale' municipal services as a corporate service."