The government will be handing over the plots of land issued to beneficiaries from the Greater Malé Region (GMR) under the ‘Binveriyaa’ scheme, during August.

This was announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday.

He made the remarks while addressing the function to inaugurate the land reclamation project of Gulhifalhu Island.

The ‘Binveriyaa’ Scheme comes under the ‘Gedhoruverin’ Programme launched by the administration to address the housing crisis facing the residents of the Greater Malé Region.

Taking the podium at the event, President Solih highlighted that the Gulhifalhu land reclamation project is a major development initiative with significant position implications for the entire country, even if it’s located in the GMR.

Highlighting that the project will transform the region, President Solih added that its most notable effect would be its positive impact on the housing situation in GMR.

Adding that the 150-hectare land reclamation project would also support the development of the Gulhifalhu port in addition to providing land for the Binveriyaa Housing Scheme, the president announced that the administration plans to allocate 2,000 housing plots in Gulhifalhu and reserve another 2,000 for the housing scheme in Giraavarufalhu.

Further, the president highlighted that the government would comb through the complaints received regarding the temporary beneficiaries list issued on June 26, and address the issues that need resolving, before publicizing the final list, and that he hopes to hand over the plots of land to beneficiaries, during August at the latest.

The Maldivian leader added that his administration aims to continue issuing plots of land until all the eligible beneficiaries have received a plot, per the list of recipients.

The president described his administration’s goal to maintain a prosperous and safe Maldives for his people, to be the driving force behind every agreement signed, ground broken, and initiative begun.

Under the project to reclaim land in Giraavarufalhu which is underway at a swift speed, a total of 20 hectares have already been reclaimed.

The government received a total of 15,164 applications by the time deadline for applications rolled around. These include 12,794 applications that met the criteria, which makes up 19,858 individuals.

The government had announced its decision to issue land plots to all those who met the criteria among the applicants.

Individuals may submit complaints regarding the list, until July 15.

The government is to issue 6,200 land plots this time round including 2,200 from Hulhumalé, 2,000 from Gulhifalhu and 2,000 from Giraavarufalhu.

During his presidential address in 2022, President Solih announced that a solution will be provided for those in desperate need of housing in the capital city, by the time his presidential term ends and during his fifth presidential address delivered this year, he announced the decision to increase the plots of land to be issued from GMR for housing.

Referring to his fourth presidential address delivered at the parliament, President Solih said that the government has no intention to deceive the people in its endeavor to meet the pledges.