Over 600 complaints for flat list in three days

Housing units being developed by Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) in Hulhumale' Phase II. (Sun Photo)

In the three days since the complaint submission process began, over 600 complaints have been filed regarding the list of flat recipients under the former administration's 'Gedhoruveriya' housing scheme.

‘Gedhoruveriya’ is a social housing scheme that was launched by the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration. The first 4,000 units under the project was built in Hulhumale’ Phase II by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC). The MDP administration released the list of recipients of the first 4,000 flats in its last days. However, the list drew the scrutiny of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), following allegations of irregularities and corruption in the award of the flats.

The corruption watchdog ordered for the suspension of the issuance of flats as it investigated the case, before finally giving the Housing Ministry the go-ahead to proceed in February 2024, after which the Housing Ministry initiated a lengthy review of applications.

The new list was released on Thursday after a verification process that lasted over a year.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration. The first 4,000 units under the project was built in Hulhumale’ Phase II by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC). The MDP administration released the list of recipients of the first 4,000 flats in its last days. However, the list drew the scrutiny of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), following allegations of irregularities and corruption in the award of the flats.

The new list was released on Thursday after a verification process that lasted over a year and subsequently opened for complaints on Saturday.

Speaking with Sun on Tuesday, Housing Ministry’s Spokesperson said the Ministry has received a total of 675 complaints regarding the new flat list; 452 complaints pertaining to three-bedroom flats and 233 complaints pertaining to two-bedroom flats.

The submission of complaints is open until end of March.

Notably, several individuals protested at Dharubaaruge, where the Housing Ministry is currently based, expressing dissatisfaction with the way the complaint submission process has been organized.

Speaking at the press conference held to disclose the new flat list, Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib said that the Housing Ministry had verified only the 4,939 applications that made it to the original list of recipients. They include applications of recipients who were awarded three-bed room flats after being above 75 points and recipients who were awarded two-bedroom flats after being scored above 73 points/

He said that the remaining flats will be allocated after evaluating the other 15,000 applications.

Muthalib also said that the main reason 53 percent of the applicants who made it on the original list of recipients were declared eligible was because of issues with documents submitted to prove 15-year residency in Male’.

As per the original list of recipients, 4,939 applicants were deemed eligible for the flats.

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