Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has stated the three-month period given for the finishing works of Hiya flats is a suitable amount of time for the required works.
Speaking at a programme aired on PSM News, Managing Director of HDC Suhail Ahmed said considering the work to be done in the flats before recipients can move in, three months is a suitable amount of time to complete the finishing works. However, he acknowledged that there may be some challenges in carrying out the finishing works as a large number of flats need to be finished at the same time, noting almost all materials used in construction in the Maldives are imported. Therefore, he said HDC will take into consideration any difficulties faced in carrying out the finishing works within the given timeframe, and make decisions accordingly.
The project to construct 7,000 housing units under the Hiya housing scheme was awarded to China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) in 2017. Although the project was contracted to be completed by 2020, the flats are yet to be fully completed.
In addition, recipients of the flats would need to carry out finishing works that were not included in the scope of work contracted to CSCEC. In this regard, components of interior construction such as tiling and installation of doors, kitchen cabinets, lights and fans are to be carried out by recipients.
The government has decided to begin signing agreements with Hiya flat recipients on July 15.