MDP protests near Parliament over delays in handover of land, flats

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has staged a protest on Monday over delays in the handover of land and flats issued to Male’ residents under the party’s former administration’s ‘Binveriya’ and ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing schemes.

The protest held near the Parliament building was attended by lawmakers from the party and members of the general public. The protestors expressed concern over the delays in the handover of land and flats.

In this regard, a protestor who spoke to Sun cited the purpose of the protest as expressing the views of recipients of land and flats as they have yet to receive the properties. The protester noted that the protest was being held near the Parliament building to convey the voice of the public to lawmakers.

Maradhoo MP Ahmed Didi who was accompanying the protestors called for the swift handover of land and flats to recipients.

Former administration of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih decided to issue 9,003 plots to 18,955 eligible recipients from the first round of the ‘Binveriya’ Scheme. The plots were designated from Hulhumale', Gulhifalhu, and Giraavarufalhu.

Meanwhile, 4,000 units are being developed in Hulhumale’ Phase II by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) which were allocated for recipients under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme.

However, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said the 4,000 housing units were awarded wrongly following an investigation into the permanent list of flat recipients. The corruption watchdog reportedly sent a list of applications that were deemed eligible and without any further issues to the Housing Ministry, which the Ministry has affirmed was only formulated for investigative purposes.

The Ministry has also said it was undertaking efforts to declare who will be awarded the flats prompting concerns from the public that the current administration will revoke the former administration’s list of flat recipients.