Nasheed praises Hiyaa flats as good example of housing

"We said about these flats, that these buildings are very high, the apartments are very small, the rent is high and it will be very difficult to live here. However, it should be noted that it is a matter of great fortune to have a house of your own," said MDP president Mohamed Nasheed, who is contesting the MDP primary, as he spoke at the premises of the Hiyaa flats built during former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration this Wednesday afternoon.

When Nasheed's tagline regarding the Hiyaa flats, and how he had described them as unworthy of human dwelling,  even naming them ‘Kotharu Koshi’ (pigeon coop) changed, some residents gathered and began protesting and shouting.

The main reason they raised their voice was that they were unheard when they approached Nasheed asking him to try to reduce the rent for them. Nasheed's continuance as speaker of parliament when the current government decided to raise taxes was another one of the reasons for the criticism at the gathering.

While the protesters were shouting over two speakers from one of the flats, Nasheed continued to speak without hesitation in the empty land between the flats.

Nasheed said he believed it would be a great relief for those living in dire straits in the Male area to get shelter. He, however, said that the price of these hiyaa flats had gone up due to the increase in the price at which they were constructed during the Yameen regime.

"We have to pay more than MVR 2,000 per square foot of the flat. Hulhumale's total debt, is currently the state's largest debt. The state is trying to raise taxes to repay the debt. Since the debt has not been restructured, today in 2023, the state has to raise taxes and raise funds to repay the debt," he said in response to the protesters.

He said no one can deny the utility of Hulhumale first phase and second phase acquired during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's administration. 

"It gives me immense satisfaction that I am here [hiyaa flat area]. This is a good sign that we can provide livelihood to the people of the country," said Nasheed, who had earlier criticised the Yameen-led government's project.

Nasheed believes that it is not necessary for the government to implement the housing project. Instead, it is still believed that the land has to be given to the government without any financial burden and the project has to be executed by private players. Nasheed cited the example of this from the free land given to the people of Male from Hulhumale as part of the Veshifehi Male Program during his administration.

"If the government has to erect a building, it takes 10 years. However, if the land is allotted to private players it gets completed in a year or two. People are able to access these places quicker," he said.

"The 250 plots allotted under the Veshifehi Male Program during the first government of MDP have been completed today. All over the place. These 250 lands have been constructed and completed without having to bear any of these burdens or debts to the government."

Nasheed said that building a large number of flats in a hurry is one of the most desirable things for the country today. The government should make it a policy to give incentives to those who find it difficult to pay rent after they are put up by private players on a commercial basis," he said.

"It should be made a policy to help those who find it difficult to pay rent, rather than bringing down the rent to the extent that they can't afford to do business. The construction of structures is something that the private sector has to do, and are things that private players are willing to do," he said.

"The role of the government should be to help people who are struggling to pay rent [and], have low incomes. Our government's incentives should be targeted to ensure that the most vulnerable get aid."

By the time Nasheed's speech came to an end, more people had gathered at the protesting  side. About twenty people held up posters and raised slogans. According to them, he had earlier described it as a pigeon coop and called out that the Hiyaa flat has now become a palace as the elections are round the corner. 

According to the participants, the results of the election will be changed by people who are at par with the population of an atoll in the country living in Hiyaa flats.

Even Nasheed is aware of it. That's how it was said.

"I dearly want your help in this upcoming election. We need the help of MDP members. We need the help of our supporters, who support this party. We need the help of all the people of the country," he said.