The Government has decided to transfer oversight of maintenance at the historic Usgekolhu from the Malé City Council to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage, citing the council's failure to properly maintain the site.

Speaking on Presser with the Spox, Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef said the decision followed the Government's unsuccessful attempts to have oversight of the site transferred as part of plans to establish an interactive museum to promote heritage tourism. He said recent incidents of vandalism further underscored the need for the Government to assume direct oversight of the property.

Shareef said the building had been defaced with graffiti and showed signs of unlawful entry and drug use, indicating that it had not been adequately maintained. He added that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage is completing the legal procedures to formally assume oversight of the site after obtaining legal advice.

The ministry has launched an investigation into the graffiti incident with the assistance of the Maldives Police Service and said those responsible will face action under the Maldives Cultural Heritage Act.

Built in the early 20th century during the reign of Sultan Mohamed Imaduddin VI, Usgekolhu is the only surviving structure of the former royal palace complex. The Government plans to develop an interactive museum in the surrounding area, which also includes the historic Kalhuvakaru Mosque, as part of efforts to promote heritage tourism.