Falah Calls to Take back the Lands of Binveriya Scheme in Hulhumale

People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah has called on the government to reclaim land plots allocated under the Binveriya housing scheme in Hulhumalé, asserting that the policy has caused substantial financial losses to the state.

Falah made the remarks during a parliamentary debate on a motion submitted by Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir, which addressed significant delays and shortcomings in several state housing projects initiated by the former government. The motion highlighted the delayed delivery of flats to thousands of recipients under the Binveriya scheme, the incomplete reclamation of Hulhumalé Phase 3, Gulhifalhu, Giraavarfalhu, and Uthuru Thilafalhu, as well as the alleged neglect of applicants’ rights for flats in Hulhumalé Phase 2 under the second phase of the Gedhoruveriya scheme.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Speaking during the session, Falah argued that the state has incurred a loss of MVR 13 billion as a result of the land distributions under the Binveriya scheme. He said his remarks reflected his personal opinion and not an official party position.

“As the majority leader here, and as a Maldivian citizen, I am sharing my personal view today,” Falah said. “If land is given for free and a boundary wall is built, compensation should be provided for that wall. If a house is built, compensation should be provided for the house — and eventually, the land should be taken back by the state.”

Falah contended that each plot could fetch around MVR 12 million if sold through open bidding and questioned the fairness of granting free land to some while others had to purchase plots in the same area.

He also claimed that some recipients had approached him to sell their plots for as little as MVR 800,000, significantly below market value. “They want to sell the land that was given to them to live on for MVR 800,000 when it is worth MVR 12 million,” he said. “Why not? They received it free of charge from the state.”

Several MPs from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) — which held a parliamentary majority when the previous administration launched the Binveriya scheme — have also expressed criticism of the free land allocations.

Falah added that he hoped MP Mauroof, who submitted the motion, would also support efforts to reclaim the lands distributed under the scheme.The Binveriya and Gedhoruveriya housing initiatives were major components of the previous government’s effort to address housing shortages in the Greater Malé Region. However, both programmes have faced scrutiny over fairness, implementation delays, and the broader financial implications for the state.