MTCC revives staff housing project, begins land allocation process

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has renewed efforts to develop housing for its employees and has begun discussions with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) on securing land for the project.

The company announced on Thursday that it recently held talks with HDC regarding land allocation to facilitate the proposed development.

The move follows the collapse of an earlier housing project launched under the Hiyaa Housing Scheme.

In December 2017, it was decided that two residential towers would be developed in Hulhumalé Phase II for MTCC employees. The project envisaged the construction of two 15-storey buildings comprising a total of 400 flats.

For that purpose, HDC allocated a 24,000-square-foot plot in Hulhumalé to MTCC.

Construction work began in 2018 under a contract awarded to Singapore-based RI Engineering. However, MTCC terminated the agreement in 2020 after work had already commenced and foundations had been laid for part of the project.

The contractor later sought legal action, although the Civil Court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.

According to MTCC, the failure to complete the original housing project remained a concern among employees who had expected to benefit from the scheme.

The company said its board and management had decided to revive the initiative and pursue a new housing development for staff.

A meeting held this week was attended by MTCC Managing Director Ahmed Saudhee and members of the company's senior management team, along with HDC Managing Director Ali Zuhair and other HDC officials.

In a statement, MTCC said the project had been restarted following efforts by the company's current management.

According to the company, a request for land allocation was submitted to the President's Office, after which President Dr Mohamed Muizzu wrote to HDC requesting that suitable land be identified for the project.

MTCC said discussions with HDC are now focused on securing a site and advancing the project to the implementation stage.

The company stated that once land allocation is finalised, arrangements will be made to begin the project as soon as possible.

MTCC said the housing initiative is intended to recognise the contribution of its employees and address a matter that has remained unresolved since the original project was halted.

The company did not disclose details regarding the size, design or timeline of the proposed development.