President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday visited Hulhumale’ Phase II to inspect the ongoing development of Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation’s (FDC) 4,000 social housing units.
The government contracted FDC for the development of the social housing units during the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)-led government.
President’s Office on Thursday confirmed Dr. Muizzu visited the project site for a general inspection, and had inquired information related to the project from the developer.
While the president has inspected the social housing units, some local news outlets recently reported that the government has begun contacting recipients of this scheme about their non-eligibility owing to being recipients of previous social housing units.
The recipients list for the Gedhoruveriya Scheme, for which the 4,000 units are being developed, was announced on November 4, 2023, with only days remaining in former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration.
After the initial attracted multiple complaints from applicants, a revised list was issued later on November 15th.
However, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) intervened the proceedings claiming the then government had manipulated the list grant social housing units to favoured individuals.
The social housing scheme was put on halt following this, after which the Ministry of Housing of the current administration announced another revised list that contained just 1,820 eligible recipients and declared 53 percent of the people who appeared in the earlier lists were ineligible.
Many who had previously received social housing units had raised concerns about being eliminated from Gedhoruveriya Scheme. In response, the government declared these individuals could seek compensation through courts.
After the most recent recipient list directed public criticism, the Minister of Construction Dr. Abdulla Muththalib during a press conference held by the President’s Office earlier on May 29th this year said that the government will consider the recipient list issued on November 15, 2023, as the final list.
He also noted the list contained ineligible recipients, who will be granted opportunity to submit complaints. The minister also said that any instances of repossession of flats will occur only after the ministry had evaluated the complaints.