President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a land exchange program to relocate residents living on narrow streets in Male’ by offering them alternative plots in reclaimed areas.

The initiative aims to address challenges such as ineligibility for housing loans due to the unviable size or location of existing plots.

In an interview with PSM, President Muizzu stated that the government will soon begin the program, fulfilling his presidential campaign promise to improve living conditions for affected residents.

Under the program:

- Residents who surrender land in narrow streets will receive plots of equal size in areas being reclaimed for expansion, including Hulhumale', Gulhi Falhu, Giraavaru Falhu, Uthuru Thila Falhu, and RasMale'

- The vacated land in Male’ will be repurposed for parks and green spaces to make the capital more livable

- Legal documentation will be issued this year to formalize the land exchange

President Muizzu said that many citizens prefer land within the Greater Male’ Region and assured that the project will continue throughout the year.

This program follows a similar effort introduced in 2010 under the name “VeshiFahi Male’”, which aimed to provide flats or land in Hulhumale’ in return for Male’ plots. However, many participants in that earlier initiative did not receive their promised housing.