Minister of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has stated a system should be established in which residents of Male' City are able to receive land plots from the atolls.
Responding to questions at the parliament, Minister Aslam noted atoll residents are able to acquire houses and land in the Greater Male' Region. The minister said the government is ceaselessly working to provide housing to residents of Male' and that the constitution does not ban any citizen from acquiring land from any island. However, he noted island councils are refusing requests from residents of Male' who wish to acquire land from islands. He said he deems such decisions unconstitutional.
Furthermore, Minister Aslam said he wishes to quickly solve the issue of individuals who have not yet been handed over the flats and land under the Veshi Fahi Male' Project. He said the work to solve the issue has been stalled due to various difficulties.
The project was launched during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed in 2010 to solve the housing problems faced by the residents of Male'. The project opened the opportunity for individuals to submit applications for three categories. One category was open for residents of Male' who lacked proper housing, while the other two were open for individuals who had migrated to Male', and individuals who registered in Male' municipality before June 30, 2011.
Speaking at the parliament, the minister also highlighted 1,200 houses will be made available for residents of Male' on the reclaimed land in Gulhifalhu.