Pres announces more land for Male natives
Under the government's housing scheme, Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation is working on 4,000 housing units in Hulhumale.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced on Monday that the number of plots to be allotted to the people of Male will be increased.
A total of 5,000 houses have been announced so far under the Gedhoruveriyaa and Binnveriyaa schemes of the current government to provide housing to the people living in the Greater Male Area:
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Under the scheme, 3,000 houses were first announced; they will be allotted from Hulhumale second phase and Gulhifalhu
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President Solih had announced in his presidential speech last year that 2,000 more houses would be allotted by reclaiming the Giraavaru lagoon
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Applications for 4,000 flats in Hulhumale were also opened
The President announced the increase in the number of land plots allotted to the people of Male while delivering his last presidential address for this term, and during the opening session of the Peoples’ Majlis for this year.
In his presidential address, President Solih spoke about the steps being taken to address the housing crisis in the Maldives. He pointed out that over 35,000 applications have been received for housing schemes in the recent past:
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20,697 applications for flats
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15,164 applications for land
"The new point to be made today is that I have decided to increase the number of plots in the Male area from what was earlier said to be given," he said, without mentioning the exact number of increases.
In December, it was open to investors to raise funds to set up a residential city by acquiring Giraavaru lagoon to provide land to the people of Male. As part of this project, the government raised money by selling N. Dhigufaru lagoon and its adjacent island, Dhekenanfaru, to a foreign company for $27 million (MVR 416 million).
The president also assured that the housing units that were started in Hulhumale last year would be completed and they would be accessible this year. According to him, this year will be the "first year in which a flat building that started from the foundation during a tenure will be completed and people will be housed within that same time".
Under the government's housing scheme, Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation is working on 4,000 housing units in Hulhumale Of the 16 towers that started construction in February last year, eight are expected to be completed by July, the company said in a statement.
