Pres. Yameen blames opposition for lack of progress resolving housing issue
Working to bring in more foreign investors
President and First Lady inaugurate the Hiyaa scheme
President Abdullah Yameen has once again blamed the opposition for lack of foreign investors coming into invest in the housing sector in the Maldives.
Speaking in the ceremony to launch the new housing scheme ‘Hiyaa’ on Saturday evening, President Yameen said foreign investors backed out of their agreements made with the Government not because of lack of faith in those agreements.
He attributed the failure of development of housing sector to the anti-campaigns run by the opposition.
Back in April, construction of 15,000 housing units was handed over to five foreign corporations which are to be completed by 2018. The companies originate from China, Sri Lanka and Turkey. Back in 2014 a joint venture by two local companies and a Dubai company was tasked with constructing 3,000 flats.
Both ventures are yet to yield results.
This is not the first time President Abdullah Yameen had leveled blame on opposition for the failure of a deal. Earlier this year, when rumors surfaced that part of Faafu Atoll is to be sold off Saudi royal family and the deal failed to gain traction, President Yameen leveled the blame on opposition. In spite of the claims by the Government the anti-campaigns by the opposition reflected negatively on the nation, President Yameen himself claimed the number of tourists had increased.
The 14 story towers are to be completed partly by 2019.
Speaking in the ceremony, President Yameen said he was not particularly concerned about votes, asking the public to keep Hulhumale’ clean. He also assured there will not be discrimination when awarding flats to recipients.
As usual the Government was scant on details of how much the project cost. However, the President was quick to assure funds were secure and the project will not fail.
