Complaints over Naifaru social housing; govt responds

The government has put an end to the housing crisis in the congested L. Naifaru by constructing 100 housing units. However, the residents have a long line of complaints; water leakage from the ceiling of the new buildings, disrupting the power system. Seven months after people started living in these units, water supply is yet to be established.

"We're in a lot of trouble. The water comes out of the ceiling and switch-boards every time it rains," said a woman living in the new flat.

"How dangerous is this?"

Some residents of the building took to social media to share videos and images of the damage caused to the building with rain. In the videos, water can be seen leaking from the ceiling, where the structures are damaged and water is coming out of the electricity boards. Water can also be seen pouring into the house from the window panes of the housing units which are covered with clothes to soak up the water.

"This is the condition of buildings where people have started living. It's such gross negligence," said another person on social media.

As per the contract, people in the building should get fresh water within three months of starting living in the building. However, the residents are still deprived of water. Some people carry water from other buildings, but the others use only salty ground water. However, residents say that the water, which is unusually salty, causes problems with household appliances such as washing machines, corroding pipes.

Their main complaint is that even while living under such conditions, the monthly rent is at MVR 5,500 per month.

Construction of housing units in Naifaru were started in 2020, having been handed over to Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC). The work was completed and the flats were handed over in February. People started living there in March.

After the issues began surfacing on social media, the Planning Ministry issued a press release on Tuesday stating that there were false rumours about some construction faults with the housing units, and that these issues had not been resolved for a long time.

According to the ministry, once the construction of the flats was completed, the constructor RCC is set to conduct an assessment during the 'defect liability period'. The ministry added that any changes brought to the premises by its occupants will not be included in the assessment. 

According to the planning ministry:

"Besides, the council has not approached the ministry for further major repairs... If any further complaint has been filed regarding the renovation of the flats, the ministry will immediately attend to it," the planning ministry said in their statement.

Naifaru island council has denied some of the claims made by the planning ministry in its statement. The council said that although an RCC team went to the housing units  and carried out some repairs, they were not satisfactory. The council said it had submitted work progress and evidence in the form of photos and videos via email and phone. 

"Even when the RRC was doing some repairs, the concerns expressed by the flat occupants were shared with the ministry. Water flowing through the ceiling, water leaking from walls and windows are issues that were received when the units were handed over and have not been resolved so far," the council said in a statement.

According to the council, it has repeatedly asked the ministry to ensure safe drinking water for the flats. The council has accused the ministry of trying to ditch out of the issue.