Nolhivaram people start building houses on unassigned plots due to delay in plot allocation

Some people in Haa Dhaalu Nolhivaram have started to build houses on unassigned plots of land because of the delay in the allocation of plots of land.

Speaking to Sun Online on the condition of anonymity, a person from Nolhivaram said that the people have started building houses because land had not been allocated in the island for years and also because the Island Council has not been giving the matter much attention.

“Shelter is a big problem for us. The houses are congested. The Island Council is not making any effort to try to solve the problem. Tomorrow, tomorrow, they say,” said the person speaking from Nolhivaram.

He said that the people building the houses are working towards shifting to the new houses when completed, and that construction of two of these houses has already been finished. He said that the remaining houses are seeing fast progress.

Nolhivaram Council President Shafiu Mohamed said that it has been about 7 years since land was allocated on this island which has a population of 2300 people, and that it has recently become a big issue. He said that the delay in allocation of land was due to a case submitted to court by a man from the island regarding 172 plots which were previously allocated. He said that as the court has now made a decision regarding the issue, and that preparation work on allocating new plots is currently ongoing.

He said that the two houses that have recently been completed were constructed against laws and regulations and that the necessary steps will be taken in order to stop the work on construction on other houses, and that due authorities have already been notified.

“The council tried to obtain the opinions of LGA and the Atoll Council following the court decision. They both told us to proceed according the court decision and to follow laws and regulations. The court decision points to implementing the rules designated on allocating land. It doesn’t say whether the previous land allocations were right or wrong. It [court decision] does however lay down some points,” said Shafiu.

He also said that whether to newly allocate land, or assign the 172 previously allocated lands has not yet been decided. He said that the council’s Permanent Secretary and Assistant Director have been entrusted the task of putting together a procedure for allocating the land, as council members are on the list of people who will receive plots. He said that the issue will be solved and plots will be assigned very soon.