Deadline given to hand over Usfasgandu to Housing Ministry

City Council has been informed to hand over Usfasgandu to Housing Ministry before Monday.

Housing Minister Dr Muiz said that following the decision made by the cabinet in their meeting yesterday, City Council had been informed in a letter to hand over Usfasgandu, where Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) conducts various political activities, to Housing Ministry before Monday.

“City Council has been informed that the land plot has been withdrawn from City Council as decided by the cabinet yesterday, and also requested to hand it over before Monday,” Muiz said.

He said that City Council had been repeatedly informed that Usfasgandu cannot be leased for a long period to a group for political activities.

Housing Ministry had made the request not to release Usfasgandu for political activities, as it was handed over to City Council to keep as an open space for leisure activities by the public.

City Council Mayor Maizan Alimanik (Alibe) said that Housing Ministry’s letter did not indicate anything, except that the government will take over Usfasgandu.

“The letter didn’t say anything. Just that they will take over Usfasgandu,” Alibe said.

He also said that City Council will obtain legal advice on how this matter can be pursued, and that the issue of taking over a land plot should be settled in court.

“Legally, they cannot take over Usfasgandu. Sending a simple letter won’t solve this matter, we will settle it in court,” Alibe said.

Alibe added that talk of taking over Usfasgandu had not been mentioned earlier, and that plans had been made to develop the area by connecting it with the swimming track, and a sudden notification to take over the plot is not a good idea.

Housing Minister said that he did not wish to respond to Alibe’s statements, and that City Council had been repeatedly asked not to use Usfasgandu for political activities.