Housing Ministry: Flat list will be released this month, exact date unclear

Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar (C) is accompanied by FDC's Managing Director Hamdhan Shakeel (R) on a tour of the project site of 'Gedhoruveriya' scheme. (Photo/Housing Ministry)

The Housing Ministry said on Sunday that it will release the list of recipients of the 4,000 housing units under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme this month, but was unable to provide a specific date.

The 4,000 units are being developed in Hulhumale’ Phase II by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC). It is the first of housing units being built under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme, a social housing project launched by the former administration.

The list of recipients of the flats, which was released during the last days of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration, was the subject of an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The corruption watchdog ordered for the suspension of the issuance of flats, before finally giving the Housing Ministry the go-ahead to proceed in February.

The Housing Ministry has been reviewing the list in the seven months since. Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar told a parliamentary committee in July that the list will be released in October.

When asked for an update on Sunday, a spokesperson from the Housing Ministry said that the list remains under review.

He said that the list will be released in October as promised, but was unable to give a specific date.

The government has come under mounting pressure over the delay in the handover of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme, sparking serial protests in Male’.

The original list of recipients of the first 4,000 units received some 325 complaints. The ACC, which investigated the complaints, found that 59.6 percent of the recipients did not meet the eligibility criteria.

During his 2023 presidential campaign, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that he would not make any changes to the list, and would ensure that it is handed over to all rightful recipients.

FDC’s Managing Director Hamdan Shakeel told Sun in September that said the corporation expects to complete the project and finish handing over the last of the units before the end of July next year.