At time of complaint, M. Fehi Asseyri owners had agreed to MVR 1.17 million compensation: RCC

Rasheed Carpentry and Construction Pvt Ltd (RCC) has stated that an agreement had already been reached to pay compensation to the owners of M. Fehi Asseyri; the house allegedly damaged during the construction of M. Kandu Fushi prior to the matter being raised before President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday night.

The issue was brought forward during the President’s meeting with residents of Maafannu, where co-owner of M. Fehi Asseyri, Hassan Rasheed, said the house had been severely damaged due to RCC’s construction works.

He told the President that his family had been forced to relocate and live in a rented house, and that they had been seeking justice for two years.

Hassan Rasheed noted that a significant breakthrough came recently when the Construction Ministry facilitated discussions in which RCC admitted the house had been damaged.

Speaking to Mihaaru News, RCC Chairman and North Maafannu MP Mohamed Nazim said the company has been working with the homeowners and the Construction Ministry to resolve the matter. He said engineers from the Ministry conducted a survey of the property and determined the repair cost.

According to Nazim, both parties subsequently agreed to compensation of MVR 1.17 million, with Hassan Rasheed agreeing in writing to receive the amount in three monthly installments.

“People from the Construction Ministry went directly and did a survey and said this is the cost,” Nazim said.

“We at RCC agreed to pay MVR 1.17 million, in installments as requested.”

Nazim said the process involved several meetings with the Ministry's Deputy Minister Mohamed Imran Hassan, other officials, and all three owners of M. Fehi Asseyri. He added that the Ministry initiated the meetings.

Mihaaru News has reviewed copies of the draft settlement agreement, emails between RCC and the homeowners, and letters referenced by Nazim.

RCC had proposed signing a tripartite agreement with the Housing Ministry to ensure transparency in releasing the funds. Nazim said a draft was sent to the homeowners shortly before Thursday’s forum.

“After reaching a point where both sides agreed, they chose to raise the matter again in a public space,” he said.

Nazim added that the homeowners have since expanded their compensation request to include reimbursement for their rental expenses; a demand he said goes beyond the initial agreement.

He defended RCC’s track record, noting that the company has constructed more buildings in the Maldives than any other local contractor, and has previously provided extensive support to affected homeowners, including offering apartments and furnishing assistance in similar cases.

Male' City Council had also intervened in attempts to settle the matter, with the council, RCC, and the homeowners holding joint discussions.

During Thursday’s meeting, Nazim and RCC faced direct allegations of causing the structural damage. Nazim did not respond to the accusations during the forum.