SIFCO flats awarded to MNDF soldiers who received Hiyaa flats

A ruling issued by the Civil Court on Monday indicates that SIFCO has reversed its decision against awarding SIFCO Hiyaa flats to MNDF soldiers who had later received Hiyaa flats.

The issue arose when some MNDF soldiers, who were declared recipients of SIFCO flats in 2014 and had paid a down payment of MVR 91,000, were awarded Hiyaa flats. SIFCO decided against handing over r flats to individuals who were receiving housing from both schemes and was subsequently sued by two individuals over this decision.

According to Monday’s Civil Court ruling, SIFCO has reversed their decision amid the trial, to award the flats to both individuals. In this regard, the flats have been handed over after signing agreements. Thus, both claimants decided to withdraw their claim following SIFCO’s decision to award the flats while the case was ongoing.

The claimants in the case argued that SIFCO’s decision to withhold the flats, based on a requirement that was not included during the application process or when the receipt letter was issued, should be considered invalid. They were demanding the execution of the agreement with respect to the flats and the handover of keys.

When questioned regarding the matter, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) denied SIFCO flats being issued to any soldiers who have also received Hiyaa flats.

As an example, MNDF cited the possibility of a married couple within the force receiving flats under two different schemes. However, they assured that a single soldier would not have received flats under two different schemes.

The handover of SIFCO Hiyaa flats developed for soldiers in Hulhumale’ began in September 2023. The current administration has granted a one-year deferral on the rent of these flats.

The development of flats under a housing scheme specific for police officers and soldiers was contacted to Noomadi in 2013. However, the project was stalled for years. As a result, the agreement was nullified in 2016.

A Chinese company was later contracted to complete the MNDF flats.

The project comprises of a total of three towers with 691 apartments. 330 apartments out of this are allocated for soldiers. They are all three-room apartments measuring 1,100 square feet.