Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has said that having a People’s National Congress (PNC) representative as Mayor of Malé City would be beneficial for advancing development initiatives, describing the party’s mayoral candidate, Major General (Rtd) Moosa Ali Jaleel, as an ideal candidate for the post.

The Minister made the remarks in an interview with MMTV during an event held at the PNC headquarters yesterday.

Minister Saeed said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision centres on delivering development across the country, with the Government’s manifesto outlining plans for economic, social and infrastructure advancement. He noted that the effective implementation of the President’s five-year manifesto would be facilitated by councils that are able to work in coordination with the central Government.

Referring specifically to Malé City, the Minister cited road development projects as a key priority under the Government’s agenda. He said the election of a PNC mayor would support the smooth execution of such projects, noting that alignment between the city council and the Government would help streamline decision-making and implementation.

Minister Saeed also highlighted Jaleel’s background and experience, describing him as a committed and capable candidate with a strong sense of national responsibility. He said Jaleel is well placed to carry forward development initiatives in the capital in line with the broader national agenda.

The Minister further noted that President Dr Muizzu previously served as Mayor of Malé City, adding that continuity in leadership aligned with the Government’s policies would be important in pursuing development goals for the city.

Local council elections are scheduled to take place on 4 April 2026.