The government is wasting public funds on the Rasmale’ project while delaying the handover of reclaimed lands, the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) Union said on Monday.
In a statement, the Union praised the former administration’s policy under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to dredge lagoons near Male' and allocate free land to residents, similar to land reclamation practices in other islands.
According to the Union, the current government has begun dredging 645 hectares as part of an 850-hectare reclamation plan. However, instead of prioritizing the handover of lands in areas that can be connected by bridge, the government is spending MVR 600 million to dredge Rasmale’, a lagoon that cannot be bridged, the Union said.
They argued that for a lower cost of MVR 300–350 million, the same 645 hectares could have been dredged in Hulhumale' Phase III, Gulhifalhu, Giraavaru, and UTF, potentially housing over 200,000 people, around 52,000 families.
The Union also noted that over 40,594 families applied for the second round of the Binnveriyaa and Gedhoruveriyaa schemes, but the applications remain unevaluated. They warned that such delays risk depriving citizens of their right to housing.
Calling for urgent action, the Union urged the government to prioritize completing housing projects, handing over plots and flats to beneficiaries, and establishing basic services in these areas. They also called for the remaining land to be dredged without further delay.