Ministry of Housing and Urban Development revealed on Sunday that despite the establishment of Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation Limited to provide affordable housing, flat recipients will still be chosen by the ministry.
When the Parliament passed the organizational structure of each ministry under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, the Housing Ministry was granted the three responsibilities of Maldivian Housing Schemes, issues related to social housing, and development of urban areas in the Maldives.
Additionally, the Parliament also passed for Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure to shoulder the responsibility of carrying out projects related to infrastructure, usage of land, and government buildings.
Questions about the Housing Ministry’s responsibilities surfaced with the establishment of Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation. The Corporation’s resolution states that all social housing schemes of Maldives will be carried out under Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation.
However, an official of the Housing Ministry revealed that the work of Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation is to facilitate all the projects related to social housing, which include hiring of contractors and monitoring the progress of ongoing projects.
“However, the responsibilities of Housing is to create housing policies, detail housing programmes and accepting applications and hiring people”, the Ministry official stated.
Additionally, he stated that the locations for development projects, and the number of flats to be built will be decided by the Ministry.
In the past, all housing solutions, road development and social housing fell under the Housing Ministry. Most of the projects that commenced in former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration was also carried out under this Ministry.
However, the responsibilities of the Housing Ministry lessened with the formation of two ministries, under the names of Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure, in President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration.
- Projects related to national development
- Improving the construction sector
- Issues related to the government in the public works sector
- Issues related to statistics
- National registration and issues related to population
Minister of Housing is Aminath Athifa, occupying the slot granted by the ruling coalition for Maumoon Reform Movement. Minister of Planning is former MDP administration’s Housing Minister Mohamed Aslam.
Any complaints about the 'Hiyaa' project, social housing and 'Gulhi Falhu' project must now be submitted to the President’s Office. Prior to this change, complaints were filed to the Housing Ministry.
President Solih assembled a committee last December to investigate the social housing projects carried out by former President Yameen’s government. The committee will accept complaint submissions until March 25.
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