Land and Flat Rhetoric Ended with the Elections, Says Union Spokesperson
Housing rights unions have accused the government of exploiting public emotions for political gain by announcing housing projects only during election cycles. Expressing concern over the suspension of land and flat allocations following the conclusion of recent elections, the organizations urged the government to expedite the handover process in accordance with established regulations. The unions further highlighted that the government's inconsistent approach to housing distribution continues to cause significant hardship and distress for the citizens.
Sobah Rasheed, Spokesperson for the unions advocating for the right to housing. | raajjemv
Sobah Rasheed, spokesperson for the unions advocating for housing rights, stated that while rhetoric regarding the allocation of land plots and flats intensified ahead of the April 4 local council, Women's Development Committee, and referendum elections, there is now no one within the government addressing the issue since the elections concluded.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Sobah noted that as the recent council elections approached, there was a significant surge in rhetoric regarding the reclamation of Phase 3 and Gulhifalhu. He further highlighted that just before the elections, the government intensified discussions surrounding the registration of land plots for recipients in Phase 3. Sobah added that as the election drew closer, the government also began making frequent pledges regarding the official handover of these land plots.
Sobah stated, however, that the government’s actual course of action was to exploit the public's most pressing needs and manipulate their emotions.
The government should not be acting this way. During his campaign, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s primary pledge was to ensure that those who had been allocated land would receive it at the designated locations. He further promised that recipients would be allowed to develop their plots according to their own designs and preferred heights. Despite these assurances, as the administration approaches its third year, no actual housing projects have commenced. Beyond the failure to initiate new projects, the government has also failed to hand over the housing units and land plots that were already guaranteed to citizens by the previous administration.Sobah Rasheed, Spokesperson for the unions advocating for the right to housing.
He stated that even in the allocation of land plots and flats, the government prioritizes exploiting the people's most essential needs for its own benefit. Sobah further noted that these issues are then leveraged as rhetoric to exert influence over elections.
Take Phase 3, for example. We witnessed a stage where specific plots were demarcated and handed over just as the elections were approaching. However, once the elections concluded, there was no one left to even speak of the matter. Exploiting such a vital and fundamental need of the citizens in this manner is unacceptable. Therefore, we call upon the government to ensure that if they are to provide housing and land to the people, it must be done through established, proper procedures.Sobah Rasheed, Spokesperson for the unions advocating for the right to housing.
Sobah stated that the government must stop exploiting the basic needs of the people for political gain during election periods. He emphasized that this is a significant mistake regardless of which administration is in power, adding that the public is no longer easily deceived by such tactics.
Sobah emphasized that the government's current actions are causing the greatest hardship to the Maldivian people. He further urged the authorities to expedite the allocation of flats and land plots in accordance with established procedures.
