The government will make an announcement to issue 3,000 plots of land for residents of the capital, Malé City on June 26.

This was revealed by the Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam, while answering a question posed by MP for Ihavandhoo constituency Mohamed Shifau at Tuesday’s People’s Majlis sitting.

Minister Aslam stated that the announcement will be made, like President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced during a press briefing earlier in June when he updated the public on the details regarding the government’s initiative to issue land plots to Malé residents.

The Minister expressed hope the announcement could be made around June 26.

During the presser, the president revealed that the first 3,000 plots of land will be announced for issuance by the end of June and that all of the preparations for the venture have been completed.

With this move , the initiative to ensure housing and land ownership for Malé residents, will be mobilized.

President Solih pledged to provide land to permanent residents of the capital city in crucial need of housing by the end of his tenure, as promised, during his presidential address, delivered during the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis this year.

Highlighting that access to state resources must be guaranteed for all, the president stated that all the government institutions aim to work together to reach the same destination. The president stated that land will be provided to permanent residents of capital Malé City in crucial need of housing, as promised, by the end of the incumbent administration’s five-year tenure.

The president announced that within the venture, Giraavaru lagoon will be reclaimed and 2,000 plots of land will be provided to permanent Malé residents from the reclaimed land. He said that Giraavaru lagoon will be connected to Greater Male area via Thilamalé bridge.

The government also plans to provide 1,000 plots of land from Hulhumalé and at least 2,000 plots of land from Gulhifalhu reclaimed area to permanent residents of Malé.

During the parliament sitting, minister Aslam also detailed the work regarding issuance of land plots from Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru, noting that a land-use plan has been formed for the 2,000 land plots to be issued from Gulhifalhu and preparations are currently underway for land reclamation.

Work to arrange finances as well as reach loan agreements is also underway, according to the minister.

The president has earlier noted that adequate housing and home ownership is the “single biggest” need of the people of the Maldives at present, and stated that a total of 2,180 houses are being built through different programs to provide housing within Male region and outlying atolls.