Recipients of 4,000 housing units yet to be officially notified regarding registration process
The government's decision to classify the 'Gedhoruveriya' housing scheme agreements as lease agreements has created significant obstacles for Malé residents seeking to register their permanent residency at these flats.
A housing tower constructed under the Gedhoruveriya scheme. | RaajjeMV
It has emerged that recipients of the 4,000 housing units allocated under the "Gedhoruveriya" scheme have yet to be notified regarding the registration process for their flats.
Information recently disclosed through a Right to Information (RTI) request reveals that the Ministry of Housing sent instructions to process residency registrations for 4,000 housing units only after facing significant pressure, just days before Minister Abdulla Muththalib was scheduled to appear before Parliament. The documents indicate that the Ministry issued these directives to the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) and the Malé City Council only very recently. However, those allocated the flats have not yet been officially notified that this opportunity is available to them.
It is understood that the Male' City Council is currently conducting a legal review in response to a letter sent by the Ministry. A decision regarding the registration process is expected once it is determined whether any legal impediments exist. The issue regarding the inability to register residents at these flats arose because the administration of President Muizzu issues the units under the "Gedhoruveriya" scheme through lease agreements. Since the government has classified these as rental arrangements, it has created a barrier to permanent residency registration. This matter has been a significant point of contention since it first gained public attention around the middle of last year.
Amid growing public concern, Member of Parliament Mohamed Ibrahim has submitted a formal inquiry to Minister Muthalib regarding the delay in granting Malé residency registration to recipients of Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) flats. The session to address this inquiry has been scheduled for May 4, 2026.
During the parliamentary session, Kudu questioned whether citizens should be left stranded without property registration simply because the current flat agreements are structured as lease agreements. In response, the Minister informed the Parliament that formal letters regarding the matter have already been dispatched to the City Council and the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC).
In response to the Minister's remarks, Fahi Union has submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking the original letter sent by the Housing Ministry to the Fadhuru Dhivehi Corporation (FDC) and the City Council. This letter pertains to the registration of residency for the recipients of the 4,000 housing units. The request was formally submitted on May 4, 2024.
RaajjeMV has obtained copies of the letters sent to the Fahi Union regarding the proposal submitted to the Ministry of Housing. Among these is a letter dated April 22, 2024, addressed to Hamdhan Shakeel, the Managing Director of Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation, and signed by Mohamed Shamil, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing.
The letter clarifies that, according to the lease-to-own agreements, the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) remains the legal owner of the units until all transactions for the transfer of ownership are finalized. Consequently, the council has been instructed to grant the necessary approvals to include recipients of flats under the "Gedhoruveriya" housing scheme, along with their dependents, in the Male' City residents' registry. This process must be carried out in accordance with the relevant laws governing the registration of residents in Male'.
Furthermore, in a letter sent to the Male' City Council on the same day, the Ministry of Housing stated that the agreements signed between the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) and the flat recipients are intended for eventual ownership by the tenants. Consequently, the Ministry has instructed that once FDC grants permission, these individuals and their dependents should be included in the Male' City residents' registry, in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
Both letters were dispatched shortly before the Minister’s scheduled appearance in Parliament. At the time, the issue had escalated significantly, placing the government under intense public and political pressure. Although the inquiry had been pending in Parliament since last year, it was only scheduled for the floor once the Ministry had completed sending the required correspondence. This timeline is clearly evidenced by the dates on the letters released under the Right to Information (RTI) request.
