Fifty land plots have been unfairly allotted in Hulhumale': Fazul

Managing Director of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed has said that about 50 land plots from Hulhumale' have been unfairly allocated under the Gedhoruveriyaa scheme implemented by the previous government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

During a meeting held at the ruling People's National Congress party office, Fazul said he had seen some headlines about the misappropriation of 100 to 300 land plots allocated from Hulhumale'. Therefore, the first thing he did after assuming office was to find out what happened to the land allocated from Hulhumale'.

Fazul said the previous government had given about 50 land plots in Hulhumale' 1, Hulhumale' 2, Hulhumale' 3, as well as the un-reclaimed land to various parties. Fazul said that the allocation of land commercially and unfairly needs to be talked about.

"Approximately 50 plots from Hulhumale' 1 and 2 have been allocated to various individuals. When I took over [the post of HDC MD], these allocations were done commercially and unfairly. This issue needs to be addressed," Fazul said.

He said that he would investigate who received the land unfairly and make their details public.

"We cannot progress without informing the public about this. Therefore, in the future, we will reveal the identities of these individuals," he stated during the meeting.

Fazul said that he visited the area on Sunday to inspect the plots allocated under the Binveriyaa scheme. He questioned how land could be allocated from the area since the plots were filled with mounds of sand and rock.

"There are large sandhills or mounds of rock where these plots are. Then I get a call from a newspaper asking why the area cannot be visited," he said.

He said the plot can only be handed over after clearing and emptying sand and rock mounds. Fazul said he would get that done too.

While Fazul has made these remarks, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating the case after receiving a complaint that under the Binveriyaa scheme, plots have been unfairly allocated. However, the ACC has not yet made public details of the case.

Fazul also responded to allegations that land reclamation works under the supervision of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) have stopped. He said the work is still underway, but due to the current situation, some changes have been made to the schedule of the work.

Fazul said the majority of the Gulhi Falhu reclamation project has already been completed, and the next step will be to give special priority to complete the work of Hulhumale' 3. The government will reclaim the land and allocate it to those who were allotted the plots, he said.

Only residents of Male' City and those who have lived in Male' for over 15 years were eligible to apply for land under the Binveriyaa scheme implemented by the previous government. Under the scheme, 1,000 plots are to be allocated from Hulhumale'.