Ministry requests halt of Hirimaradhoo plot scheme

The Housing Ministry has requested that the HDh. Hirimaradhoo plot acquisition does not move forward while their residents move to HDh. Hanimaadhoo.

On 24th August, the government handed the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) the task of securing housing and municipal services for the Hirimaradhoo residents moving to Hanimaadhoo within 1.5 years.

As per a statement released by the Housing Ministry today, the total cost and budgeting of the project of building housing for Hirimaradhoo residents and the detailed surveys therein, along with identification of the municipal infrastructure will be included under the agreed upon framework that was done with HDC.

Once the aforementioned work is done, the residents of Hirimaradhoo are to be moved to Hanimaadhoo within 18 months, as per the Housing Ministry's statement.

The Ministry has stated that every moving Hirimaradhoo resident that has a plot on their home island will receive a plot in Hanimaadhoo. They also said that those who have a plot but no housing on it will get houses as well.

"We will ensure that all residents who move from Hirimaradhoo to Hanimaadhoo will have a roof over their heads as per all inclusions in the project," as said in the statement.

The Ministry also said that Hirimaradhoo residents that have received plots (up to 24th August) will receive plots from Hanimaadhoo.

"We at the Housing Ministry request that no changes come to the registry, be it changes in plot holders, plot splitting/sharing or otherwise."

As President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's Haa Dhaalu Atoll visit is underway, he went to to visit Hirimaradhoo and addressed its residents, stating that those who move to Hanimaadhoo will receive a house and that the keys to their new homes will be handed to them within 18 months. However, he went on to say, the move is not obligatory. 

As per President Muizzu, Hirimaradhoo residents who want to move will receive an allowance, along with the government paving the way for economic benefits.