Shunana and Co seek President’s aid for Jaah property buyers

Local law firm, Shunana and Co. has submitted a letter to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu seeking damages for the people who purchased flats from The Gardens housing complex.

The complex was a project developed by Jaah Investments Private Limited, which had opened a pre-sale of the flats of its property. Several locals had purchased units from the complex, but had not received their flats till date.

In the letter, Shunana and Co. stressed this delay in awarding the purchased flats to buyers was the fault of Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The law firm highlights that the agreements between HDC and private property developers give discretion to HDC to annul agreements with initial developers and contract alternatives in the event the initial developers fail to complete the projects within the contracted duration.

The law firm alleged that HDC was not following this, and in fact, extending the contract durations with some developers without probable cause.

The firm further said that the delay in receiving housing units for the purchasers, who are living on rent while repaying the loans they borrowed to purchase these housing units have faced significant economic losses.

Shunana and Co. held HDC responsible for its apparent inaction against private developers that fail to meet their contractual obligations in delivering completed housing on time.

Moreover, the firm alleges these private developers have been utilizing the plots they were awarded to develop housing properties, for their personal ventures; which was a breach of the agreement between them and HDC. The firm alleged such corporations were illicitly profiteering by exploiting and abusing authorities.

The letter addressed to President Muizzu further said this was a loss not only for the public but for the government as well.

Shunana and Co alleges that Jaah Investment had breached its contract with HDC, by utilizing the plot for personal schemes which had hindered paying salaries to foreign employees, while their projects have stalled as well. Despite this, the firm claims, HDC had not taken any action against Jaah Investment.

“It has been 2 years since we submitted a complaint to the state authorities. Nothing happened.” The firm’s managing partner, Shunana said in a post on X.

The firm in its letter to the president, has requested prompt and expeditious efforts to address this injustice and ensure the rightful property owners receive their purchased housing units at the earliest.