HRCM meets with Minister Haidar over Gedhoruveriyaa Flat Scheme

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has met with Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed today, over the the Gedhoruveriyaa housing flat issue.

HRCM said that they sought information pertaining to a case being investigated regarding the Gedhoruveriyaa scheme. The commission quoted Minister Haider as saying that the issue of the flats is one of many concerns of the people and the Ministry is working hard to find a solution in collaboration with the relevant agencies as soon as possible.

The housing scheme announced by the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has a total of 4,000 flats. The flats are being built in 32 towers of 17-18 floors. With eight apartments on each floor including 1,200 two-bedroom flats and 2,800 three-bedroom flats, the project is funded by a USD 227 million (MVR 3.5 billion) loan from Exim Bank of India.

The 4,000 flats will be completed by the middle of next year, Housing Minister Haider said in June. Local reports suggest that the flats will be available for occupancy in July or August next year.

The first 4,000 recipients of the flat under the Gedhoruveriyaa scheme were announced just days before the end of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. However, Anti Corruptions Commission (ACC) intervened and stopped the handover of flats to the list announced by the then administration following allegations of unfairness in finalising the list.

The ACC investigation revealed that 60 per cent of the people on the list were not eligible for the scheme, with only 20 percent of the forms eligible without any issues. Due to this, the current government has decided to re-review the applications of all those who applied for the scheme in the first round and compile a new list, which totals more than 20,000 forms.

Minister Haider had said in July that the final list would be released next month after reviewing the list of flats announced earlier.