The outgoing government had failed to tackle housing and shelter shortage in Naifaru island of Lhaviyani atoll and residents expect the newly elected one to address these issues, says council member Mohamed Kaarim.

Kaarim, president of the Lhaviyani atoll island’s local government council, said in an interview with RaajjeTV that the council had made much effort to address housing shortages and the lack of shelter for its residents, but receive no support from the central government.

Kaarim said that the then government had not allowed the council to lease properties or plots of land for their housing projects, but pledges made by recently elected and sworn-in President Ibrahim Solih has renewed their hope.

The council president highlighted President Solih’s campaign pledge that land in smaller islands are to be reclaimed and made bigger, before authorizing local government councils to lease and issue plots for housing projects.

Kaarim said that Naifaru island has enough land to provide adequate shelter for its entire population and that most of its residents do not want apartments or building complexes but row houses.

“Those who can afford it want to buy land, that is only about 10 percent of people. Those who cannot, wish to live in row houses. We have enough space to provide 200 plots”, Kaarim said.

According to Kaarim, Naifaru currently has a native population of about 5,400 who make up 1,074 households.