Housing Ministry cannot lease land in Hulhumale

City Council has said that Housing Ministry cannot lease land from Hulhumale’ under Veshifahi Male’ program.

A letter sent to Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muizz by City Council today noted that agreements are being made under Veshifahi Male’ program to lease land in Hulhumale’, which is part of Male’ city; and clarified that land in any island which is included in Male’ city can only be leased by City Council following Housing Ministry’s instructions as stipulated by the land law of Maldives.

“We remind you that any piece of land leased in any other manner would be a violation of the law, and urge your Ministry to put an immediate end to implementing actions which are the legal responsibility of City Council,” reads the two-page letter by City Council.

The letter also requested for a date, when the Veshifahi Male’ program project and employees working on this project will be transferred to City Council.

Housing Minister Dr Muizz said last Friday that City Council’s declaration that the task of producing land-use plans is the mandate of City Council, is untrue.

“The government decides on policies on land use, and others implement those policies. They are turning it around and saying that they make the decisions. That’s not how it works in any part of the world,” Dr Muizz said.