Minister: Flats will be issued once ACC shares detailed report

Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed says that the government will issue flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme to all eligible applicants once the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) shares additional information regarding its investigation into the award of the first 4,000 flats under the scheme.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Housing Ministry said the flats will be issued after seeking legal counsel.

The ministry also alleged that false information was being spread of social media sites regarding the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme to create a negative image regarding the ministry.

 According to the ministry, the ACC shared its preliminary investigative findings on Thursday, after which ministry officials met with ACC members to discuss the findings on Sunday.

In a video message shared by the ministry, Haidar said he asked the ACC for a detailed report during the meeting.

“They said they would send it to us. But we have yet to receive a detailed report,” said Haidar, adding that the ministry was working to issue flats to eligible applicants as soon as possible.

Haidar said that despite the ministry’s efforts, the flats cannot be issued until the ACC provides a detailed report.

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— Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development (@MHLUDmv) February 7, 2024

ACC received 325 complaints in response to the list of recipients of the first 4,000 flats under the scheme, being developed by the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) in Hulhumale’.

The ACC had previously ordered the suspension of issuance of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme, following complaints of irregularities in the award of the first flats.

The corruption watchdog lifted the suspension on February 1, instructing the Housing Ministry to abide by certain rules while issuing the flats.

The commission told the Housing Ministry to revise flagged applications without making changes to the applications that were awarded points in accordance with ACC’s policies and criteria, and to maintain uniformity in making decisions where the policies do not provide explicit instructions.

After that a rumor spread on social media of alleged plans to award the flats based on a list made by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. However, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu denied the allegation, providing assurance that his administration will not exert its influence to steal either flats or land from eligible applicants.

The ACC has also opened an investigation into possible irregularities in the award of land under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme, another housing scheme launched during the previous administration.