Minister Muththalib Appeals to Parliament to Address the Issue of Bandaara Goathi

Minister of Construction, Housing, and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, stated that he does not believe state land (Bandaara goathi) should be granted for residential purposes on a permanent basis and urged parliament to find a solution.

The question was raised by PNC MP Ahmed Naseem of the Thulusdhoo constituency during today’s parliamentary session. He argued that the free distribution of state land for residential purposes would not solve the housing problem and inquired whether Minister Muththalib had any plans to revise the existing policy.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

In his response, Minister Muththalib acknowledged that the allotment of state land is a unique feature of the Maldives. However, he emphasised that the Minister alone cannot alter a historically significant policy.

Supporting MP Naseem’s view, Muththalib agreed that the free distribution of state land would not address the housing issue and noted that continuing to grant land permanently could pose challenges.

 “Therefore, it is crucial that this issue is addressed through legislation and resolved by parliament,” he said.

Mohammad Aslam, the former housing minister in the previous government, had also told parliament that the free distribution of land was unsustainable. Despite this, under the MDP government, which included Aslam, 3,000 houses were allotted free of charge to the people of Malé in the final days of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration. This move was controversial and faced opposition from many.