MP Husnee Mubarik called to make all Maldivians eligible for land anywhere from the country instead of considering their permanent address as a deciding factor.
Husnee Mubarik, the newly sworn in MP of Manadhoo constituency, today called for the change in legislature to allow Maldivian citizens to be able to apply for land anywhere in the country without their permanent address being considered a deciding factor.
Speaking on an amendment brought to the Land Act by the former parliament, Husnee said that prioritising residents of an island when allocating land from the island should be abolished.
"Considering the permanent address [of applicants] when issuing lands needs to stop. That is, prioritising residents of a certain island when land allocation announcements from the island are made. Prioritising Malé residents when issuing lands from Malé, prioritising Maafushi residents when allocating land from Maafushi. This needs to be stopped," said Husnee.
As such, Husnee called for equal opportunities for citizens who do not have lands to be eligible from any island of the country when lands are being issued. The Land Act must be changed accordingly, he said.
While the ruling party People's National Congress (PNC)'s member called for this change, the previous administration, which was spearheaded by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reclaimed and issued lands from Hulhumalé, Gulhifalhu and Giraavarufalhu, which are all located in the Malé area. However, only Malé residents were able to apply for these lands.
The former government also decided to reclaim Uthuruthilafalhu, also located near Malé, and issue land plots from the island as well. This project has been discontinued by the current administration.
In addition to the Malé area, lands are also being issued in a similar fashion in other areas of the country such as Maafushi island and Addu City, where lands are exclusively allocated for residents.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu pledged housing for all Maldivians, and announced the Rasmalé project from which land plots will be issued for housing. He announced that all Maldivians would be able to apply for lands and flats from Rasmalé.
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