President pledges 4,000 flats by new academic year, Rasmale' fully dredged by April

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged that the 4,000 flats completed by Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) will be handed over by the start of the next academic year, while dredging of Rasmale' will be completed by April 2026.

Speaking at a meeting with residents of Mahchangolhi on Tuesday evening, the President said lands allocated under the previous administration’s housing scheme were on plots that had not been dredged. He assured that dredging will be completed, including Rasmale', Uthuru Thila Falhu, and Giraavaru, and that no land already allotted will be taken back.  

On the flats, the President said FDC is currently working to connect electricity and expects to hand over many units by the end of December. “The [FDC] has assured that all the towers will be habitable by the opening of the new academic year. I have not taken back these places either,” he said.  

Although he acknowledged problems in the allocation list compiled by the previous government, Muizzu stressed he would not make changes, citing his promise to honor existing commitments.  

The President added that a dredger twice the size of the one used for Hulhumale' Phase III will arrive in early December to accelerate Rasmale’s reclamation. “The work will start around December 7 or 10. By March or April, the place will be completely dredged,” he said.  

Earlier this month, Muizzu announced plans to provide 7,500 flats and 15,000 plots of land in Male' City, most of them from Rasmale'. The project, the largest housing initiative in the country, also includes an underwater tunnel linking Rasmale' to Male'.  

The opposition has raised concerns about delays in establishing services and questioned the feasibility of the tunnel project. Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the flats have expressed frustration over repeated delays. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) previously halted allocations due to irregularities in the list, which was later revised by the government.