Committee comprising of councilors to partake in review of flat list

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Sunday, has decided to form a committee comprising of Male’ City Councilors to work alongside Housing Ministry to review the list of flat recipients that were awarded 4,000 flats under former administration’s ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme.

The President announced his decision during a meeting with Male’ City Council on Sunday.

At the meeting, Saif Fathih, the councilor for North Galolhu constituency, said anyone ineligible must not receive flats following review of the list. To ensure, underscored the need for observers from Male’ City Council to participate in reviewing the list.

In response, President Muizzu said housing issue in Male’ City escalated because it had not been addressed promptly. He emphasized that the housing issue in Male’ City can only be resolved with the participation of councilors elected by Male’ residents to represent them.

“The government has requested the Council to proceed as Saif has said with respect to the ongoing evaluation of the previous list of flat recipients. I have requested the Council to pick a councilors’ committee to participate in the process,” he said.

President Muizzu said the flats should be awarded to individuals earning the highest marks within the point system, adding councilors elected by Male’ residents should be privy to this process.

Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim underscored that the Council had not received any response from the Housing Ministry regarding its participation in the evaluation process and in this trajectory, expressed hope for the Council participate in the process at the earliest.

Deputy Mayor Nareesh said the Council had submitted the report on the first phase of its works related to the flats to the Housing Ministry, adding the Council is now undertaking works on the second phase following instructions from the Ministry.

Prior to this, Housing Minister Dr. Haidar Ali said the reviewed list of recipients who were awarded the 4,000 flats being developed by Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) at Hulhumale’ Phase II under the former administration’s ‘Gedhoruvariya’ scheme, will be publicized in October.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had halted, and launched a criminal investigation after claiming discrepancies in the recipients’ list eligible for the 4,000 housing. A total of 325 complaints were filed with the commission regarding the list. 

Following months-long limbo in the housing scheme, ACC permitted issuance of the units after a review. Despite green-lighting the issuance of flats, ACC claimed 59.6 percent of the recipients were ineligible.

Notably, a protest was recently staged over the delays in the issuance of flats. 

However, Minister Haidar has previously said all 4,000 flats will be completed by mid-next year.