UTF Union Criticises Spending on Rasmale’ While Housing Land Handover Remains Delayed

The Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) Union has claimed that the government is wasting public funds on the Rasmale’ reclamation project while delaying the allocation of reclaimed lands for housing.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Union said the previous administration under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had introduced a policy to dredge lagoons near Malé and allocate land to residents free of charge, similar to land reclamation programmes carried out in other islands.

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The Union stated that the current government has commenced dredging 645 hectares as part of an 850-hectare reclamation plan. They argued that instead of prioritising areas that could be linked to Malé by bridge, the government has decided to invest MVR 600 million in dredging Rasmale’, a lagoon they said cannot be connected by bridge.

According to the Union’s estimates, dredging the same 645 hectares in locations such as Hulhumalé Phase III, Gulhifalhu, Giraavaru and UTF would have cost between MVR 300 million and MVR 350 million. They said this approach could have created land sufficient to house more than 200,000 people, or around 52,000 families.

The Union also highlighted that 40,594 families applied for the second round of the Binnveriyaa and Gedhoruveriyaa housing schemes, but the applications have yet to be processed. They warned that prolonged delays threaten to deprive citizens of their right to adequate housing.

Calling for urgent action, the union urged the government to complete ongoing housing projects, hand over plots and flats to beneficiaries, and develop essential services in reclaimed land areas. They also called for the remaining dredging works to be carried out without further delay.