President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assured that the government’s “Housing for All” project will be free from influence or political interference.
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has begun cross-verification of applicants who applied to ensure fairness in the allocation process.
Speaking on the second episode of PSM’s Nation Chat programme, President Muizzu said that, unlike past governments, no individual, family, or influential group will receive preferential treatment in housing allocation. Although influential people in the past had been able to influence the system, his government is setting out to bring an end to such practices, he said.
The President further emphasised that all applications will be treated equally, with no priority order in the allocation of flats or land. While housing is an essential need, the best outcome of the project will be to ensure adequate housing for citizens, he added. He stressed that the verification process will be strict to prevent even the most minor ones, and expressed confidence that those conducting the verifications cannot be compromised by influence.
More than 35,900 applications for flats and over 22,000 for land have been received under the programme.
The government states that its approach to housing differs from previous projects as housing will be delivered earlier in the term. Most projects expected to be completed within two years. The President criticised past practices where housing applications were opened late in government terms, creating burdens for incoming administrations.