Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has stated the administration intends to issue land plots from islands for residential purposes despite some land plots in islands being abandoned.
Housing Minister Aslam said residents in islands also need residential land plots. The minister said 14 island councils have written to the ministry seeking permission to issue land plots. He said the ministry will continue to issue permits to the requested councils as per the regulations.
The housing minister said the islands must get their Land Use Plan (LUP) approved before writing to the ministry for permits. He said islands with approved LUPs have already been issued permits to issue land plots for residential purposes.
Furthermore, Minister Aslam said the administration has no intention of instructing councils to stop issuing land plots for residents so long as the island councils have their LUPs approved. He said the people residing in islands must be provided with land plots despite the majority of the population residing elsewhere.