Minister: New projects not being initiated as stalled projects need to be completed

Housing Minister Dr. Haidar Ali states the new projects by the current administration are not being witnessed as there is a large number of projects commenced by the former administration that remains stalled and henceforth, ways need to be sought to ensure its completion.

Minister Haidar appeared before the Parliament Monday to respond to questions regarding flats and land plots awarded by the former administration.

During the time allocated for additional questioning, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, who represents main opposition MDP, had inquired whether the current administration will commence any projects. He also inquired whether the administration had the “guts” to hand over the land plots and flats awarded by the former administration to its “rightful” recipients.

In response, Minister Haidar said no changes will be made to the recipients of land or flats declared by the former administration without ensuring they are the rightful recipients.

He reiterated that the land plots and flats will be handed over.

Amid criticism from the opposition over the lack of new projects, Minister Haidar underscored that many projects commenced by the former administration had been stalled when the current administration assumed office.

Henceforth, he cited the priority of the current administration as finding ways to continue these projects by resolving the issues that led to the halt.

“When the current administration assumed office, many projects were stalled. We can only proceed with new projects after resolving these issues, after finding a way for them. We are, at present, undertaking this work as we believe this should be our highest priority,” he said.

“This is why you are not witnessing us start new projects,” he added.

However, Minister Haidar noted that the current administration will commence a mega-housing project before the end of this year, without delving into any further details.

As per the Minister, the administration aims to develop 85,000 housing units across Maldives in the five-year term. 30,000 housing units out of this have already been announced under the current administration’s biggest housing project, Rasmale’.