ACC orders halt to issuance of 4,000 flats following complaints

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ordered a halt to the handover of the first 4,000 flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme, following multiple complaints over how points were awarded.

In a statement on Sunday, the ACC said the commission had received a complaint alleging the recipients of the first 4,000 flats were selected in violation of the assessment policy, by denying applicants the right to submit complaints, and in a manner that benefits specific individuals.

The corruption watchdog instructed the Housing Ministry on Sunday not to proceed with the scheme without providing a sufficient window to submit complaints, and without properly evaluating the complaints, as the case is under investigation by the commission.

As such, the Housing Ministry has been instructed to suspend the signing of agreements for the flats and all work related to the handover of the flats during the period.

ACC made the decision after dozens of protesters gathered at the Housing Ministry to express their displeasure earlier Sunday.

They allege the assessment process had been unfair, that some applicants who had resided in Male’ for a fewer period of time had scored higher points, and that some lawmakers from the MDP and their family members were unfairly awarded flats.

More have taken to social media to express their displeasure, demanding the Housing Ministry to disclose details of how the points were awarded.

Over 20,000 people had applied for flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme.

In response to the public outcry, the Housing Ministry opened the opportunity to submit complaints via the Gedhoruverin Portal until 04:00 pm Thursday.

State Minister for Housing and Chair of Flat and Land Committee, Akram Kamaluddin said that points were awarded based on the information on applications.

The permanent list of recipients of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme was published on the Government Gazette on Saturday afternoon.

According to the Housing Ministry, the recipients of the 4,000 units currently under construction by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) on list of recipients for three-bedroom flats had all received upwards of 76 marks.

Meanwhile, the recipients of the 4,000 units on the list of two-bedroom flats had all received upwards of 73 marks.