8,000 Flats will be completed by 2013: President

President Mohamed Nasheed has said yesterday that 8,000 flats will be completed and ready for people to move in, before the presidential elections next year.

Responding to a question by Sun Online during his visit to Gulhifalhu, which is being developed by the Global Project Development Company (GDP), President Nasheed said that looking at the contracts currently in process, 8,000 housing units will be completed by the end of 2013.

“100 flats are being built in Hulhumale’ by a Chinese company. About 300 flats are completed under the first phase of Coralville. 500 flats will be built in Male’ with the aid of the Indian government. 1,500 units are being built in the South under a Chinese Exim loan, and 600 units are being built in the North by a Swiss company. The total comes to 8,000 flats which are assured to be in move-in condition by the end of 2013,” President Nasheed sid.

He also said that the government’s housing policy is set up to facilitate housing units for about 200 people per year. The program is also designed to “rotate”.

“As a result, we can find a complete solution to the problem of housing,” the President said.

Referring to GDP, the President said that the bridge connecting Vilimale’, Male’ and Gulhifalhu will be completed by the end of this year, and that Gulhifalhu will be a good solution for the housing problem in Male’. He also said that this project will boost the development of the country.

GDP estimates the opening of Gulhifalhu for residents with the completion of 240 flats, electricity, sewage system, mosques, and health centers, by the end of 2012.

The President said that the second phase of the Gulhifalhu project is being delayed due to the deferment in conducting the environmental impact assessment.

“We have taken a look at the documents prepared by them. They are very organized in their work,” President Nasheed said. “Since it is only December, we do not have to worry about it being late. We do not want this to be done without the necessary assessments. I am informed that it has already been completed.”