Haidar: Former administration’s flat list needs to be revised

Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar states the list of recipients of 4,000 flats formulated by the former administration under its ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme needs to be revised.

Speaking at the ceremony held to inaugurate physical works on the installation of additional lifts at Hiyaa towers on Thursday, Minister Haidar said it needs to be verified whether recipients on the list meet the requirements set down by the former administration.

“The former administration had set down the policies. However, as you may know, this work was not carried out most rightfully,” the Minister said, referring to how the former administration had formulated the list of flat recipients.

Minister Haidar affirmed the current administration’s commitment to ensure housing for the largest number of people possible. On this note, he said applicants who are disqualified for not meeting requirements will receive opportunities from other housing projects which will be initiated by the current administration.

“This administration’s goal is to ensure housing for all citizens without excluding a single person,” he added.

The Minister, underscoring the list will be reviewed by the independent committee that has currently been formed, assured that there will be no influence of the government in these efforts.

Speaking further, Minister Haidar, noting housing as one of the main electoral pledges of the current administration, states they are undertaking a significant number of efforts to achieve this.

ACC received 325 complaints in response to the list of recipients of the first 4,000 flats under the scheme, being developed by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) in Hulhumale’.

The ACC had previously ordered the suspension of issuance of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme, following complaints of irregularities in the award of the first flats.

The corruption watchdog lifted the suspension on February 1, instructing the Housing Ministry to abide by certain rules while issuing the flats.

Despite lifting the suspension, ACC has noted that 59.6 percent of recipients on the list were ineligible.