Minister: Reviewed flat list to be publicized on October

Housing Minister Dr. Haidar Ali states the reviewed list of recipients who were awarded the 4,000 flats being developed by Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) at Hulhumale’ Phase II under the former administration’s ‘Gedhoruvariya’ scheme, will be publicized in October.

He made the remark while responding to queries of the lawmakers at the Parliament’s Petition Committee as they review a petition urging against revoking the list of flat recipients under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing scheme.

In this regard, Minister Haidar assured that the current administration has no plans to revoke the list, however, added a re-evaluation will be conducted.

He added that the review will be completed by the time the flats are completed in October.

“We will gazette the final list of recipients by the time the flats are completed. As far as I know, the first six towers out of the 32 will be completed by the end of October. By the will of God, the final list will be publicized by then,” he said.

Minister Haidar said the people’s living conditions will be considered when awarding the flats which will based on evidence available and official documents.

He reiterated that efforts were underway to compile the final list by the time flats will be completed and in this trajectory, provided assurance the flats will not be vacant once completed.

Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas put forth a question regarding recipients of flats renting out the premises to third parties at high prices. Citing that people who actually deserve housing are deprived of the benefits as a result with others reaping undue benefits, he inquired whether the Ministry has plans to take any steps to stop this.

In response, Minister Haidar said this is a result of there being chances of deceit during the evaluation process. He said the government will ensure people who are truly in need of housing are awarded flats via the re-evaluation process.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had halted, and launched a criminal investigation after claiming discrepancies in the recipients’ list eligible for the 4,000 housing units. A total of 325 complaints were filed with the commission regarding the list. 

Following months-long limbo in the housing scheme, ACC permitted issuance of the units after a review. Despite green-lighting the issuance of flats, ACC claimed 59.6 percent of the recipients were ineligible.

Notably, a protest was recently staged over the delays in the issuance of flats. 

However, Minister Haidar has previously said all 4,000 flats will be completed by mid-next year.