MD Fazul denies any involvement of HDC in issuing ‘Binveriya’ plots

Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, the managing director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), denied any involvement of the corporation in the issuance of land plots awarded under the ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme on Wednesday, as he denied allegations that the HDC gave plots from Hulhumale’ to people who were not on the list of recipients.

Fazul made remarks in a press briefing amid allegations that among those unlisted recipients who received plots from Hulhumale’ under the scheme included his brother, Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the Deputy Managing Director of Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC).

At the press briefing, Fazul assured the issuance of plots and registries and signing agreements with landowners did not fall under the purview of HDC.

“I can assure you that neither HDC nor any of its employees were involved in any conduct of HDC, in exempting anyone from Binveriya Scheme,” he said.

While local authorities have launched an investigation into the matter, Fazul assured his cooperation in the case.

 Fazul dismissed the implication of his borther in the alleged corruption of HDC in the award of land plots under the scheme, and insisted that the situation does not pose a conflict of interest.

Although Fazeel's name was listed among those who are disqualified for having been an awardee of a previous social housing, 'Sun' Online has received a document which is an agreement made with him towards awarding a plot from Hulhumale'.

In response to this, Fazul said that though his brother's name was among the recipients' list, the eligibility would be eventually decided by the Ministry of Housing.

He reiterated the issuance of land or signing agreements with plot awardees did not fall under HDC purview.

"My brother's name [in the case] is a coincidence, it is not related to any issue of mine," Fazul said.

Meanwhile, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), while making serious allegations of fraud on the part of HDC, has demanded awarding the plots to their rightful recipients.