Local Govt Minister affirms no room for corruption

The Local Government Minister Adam Shareef on Thursday said that the decisions of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu were reflective the current government would not allow any corrupt misconduct.

The minister, in a post on X, said he was confident president would not allow any conduct that would infringe the public’s rights. He further emphasized the importance of cooperation and unity among government bodies and the public in ridding corruption from the country.

While the minister has made these remarks, on Wednesday the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and its Managing Director Fazul Rasheed came under fire over allegations of tampering with the recipients list of the ‘Binveriya’ social housing scheme launched during the former government.

Fazul and the corporation face allegations of awarding plots of land under the scheme to individuals who were not originally listed, including his own older brother Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the Deputy Managing Director of Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC).

In a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Fazul denied all allegations and reiterated neither HDC nor any of its employees had any role in awarding the plots or signing agreements with plot owners.

Fazul along with several of HDC’s board members have been suspended in relation to the allegations.

Meanwhile, North-Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) submitted a motion to the parliament on Wednesday demanding investigation into the case while alleging over 50 plots were issued unlawfully.

The rights of any of the recipients of land under the ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme have not and will not be violated, according to the Chief Spokesperson of the President’s Office, Heena Waleed on Thursday, a day after police launched a criminal investigation into the allegations.