Housing Minister Aslam: 7 years as minister, Muizzu never spoke of land plots then

Minister of Housing and Urban Development Mohamed Aslam stated that during his seven years as Housing Minister, the current Mayor of Male’ Dr Mohamed Muizzu never spoke of issuing land plots.

Speaking during a programme by local broadcaster RaajjeTV, the minister said that hence, even in the future, it will be Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will be the one to issue land from Male’.

Following the Presidential Adress on February 3, Mayor Muizzu commented that allotting just two to three thousand land plots, and about six thousand flats to Male’ people is unjust.

Via a tweet, he said that there was the capacity to issue at least 4,000 land plots from Hulhumale’ and 10,000 land plots after reclaiming Gulhifalhu. He also said there was capacity to issue 15,000 flats from Hulhumale’ and 25,000 flats from Gulhifalhu.

In the presidential address, President Solih revealed plans to issue land plots to permanent residents of Male’; being 1,000 land plots from Hulhumale’, at least 2,000 land plots from Gulhifalhu and 2,000 land plots from the land which will be reclaimed at Giraavaru lagoon.

Moreover, he also noted that 2,000 housing units will be developed in Hulhumale’ in addition to the 5,000 currently being developed.

Responding to the remarks made towards the Presidential Address, Aslam further noted that during his tenure as Housing Minister, their administration did not do any work to give land to citizens of Male’, and that it was the MDP administration who did that before, and would do it again.

He also noted that Muizzu would release hasty statements without looking into matters, and added that he was known for knowingly speaking of wrong figures as well.

“I met the mayor regarding some calculations done for the EMI of Hiya Flats. I am certain a second school student would do those calculations better.”

Noting that the government has plans to reclaim 90 hectares of land from the Giraavaru lagoon, the minister stated that the Presidents spoke of the figures in the only way that was doable. He further stated that after reclaiming land, 35 percent has to be dedicated to housing.

“..Minimum 11 percent will go for roads. Public spaces need to be allocated for parks. There needs to be institutional land. Commercial land is needed,” said Aslam explaining how the land has to be allocated after reclamation.

“These figures were decided upon after planning.”

Aslam stressed that this administration does not give figures at a random for projects, instead, they do thorough research before giving numbers.