Fahi Union: Letters notifying ineligibility for flats contained false information

Fahi Union has alleged that some of the letters sent by Housing Ministry notifying ineligibility for the 4,000 flats under the former administration’s ‘Gedhoruvariya’ housing scheme contained false information.

Fahi Union is a non-profit that advocates for the public on matters related to flats and land plots awarded by the government.

Speaking during a press conference held by the organization on Thursday, lawyer Ali Hussain said some of the dates set forth by the government to hand over the flats have passed. He also voiced concern over the government, despite reiterating that flats will be issued based on terms established during the former administration, is sending letters to many recipients notifying ineligibility.

To be eligible for flats under the ‘Gedhoruvariya’ scheme, an individual must have resided in Male’ continuously for 15 years.

Ali alleged that letters notifying ineligibility has been received by recipients who have resided in Male’ for continuously for 15 years that traveled out of the capital for short periods of time for various purposes. As an example, he pointed out that some individuals are required to travel out of Male’ due to the nature of their jobs such as police officers, soldiers, teachers and doctors. Nevertheless, he noted that their families continue to live in Male’ even as they travel out of the city.

“We have met principals. Their families are based in Male’. But they are not allowed to remain in one school for more than two years,” he said.

Ali also voiced concern that some of the letters sent to recipients, stating they were ineligible due to not having lived in Malé continuously for 15 years, contained false information.

In this regard, Ali said a native of Th. Omadhoo was deemed eligible in a letter sent by the Housing Ministry for allegedly working at island’s schools from 2012 to 2017 despite never having visited the island.

Ali said the school, when asked, denied that an individual under that name worked at the school, while the Maldives Pension Administration Office (MPAO) denied receiving pension deposits for an individual under the name.

“This shows how Housing Ministry or Planning Ministry is sending letters based on false information without conducting the necessary verifications,” he added.

According to Ali, there are staff within Housing Ministry who work against Minister Abdulla Muthalib. He suspects that the letter informing ineligibility was sent without the Minister’s knowledge.

As such, Ali called to identify the Ministry staff who sent the letters and take action accordingly.

“In the Minister’s case, when a letter is brought stating something, they might not be able to cross-check. What I am saying the individuals drafting these letters should provide correct information to the Minister,” he said.

Housing Ministry previously stated that individuals who have lived in Malé continuously for 15 years will not be disqualified from the housing scheme, noting that submitted documents were reviewed to determine residency. The Ministry also explained that any changes to applicants' points were due to discrepancies between the points initially awarded and the information actually provided by the applicants.

According to the new list released by the current administration, 1,820 applicants have been deemed eligible for the 4,000 available flats, which include 2,750 three-room units and 1,250 two-room units.

Minister Muthalib has stated that hand over of flats will commence this month, without providing a specific date.