Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ordered a halt on the current Maldives government’s issuance of 4,000 social housing units to the recently publicized recipients’ list.
The commission earlier said it received multiple reports of misconduct, possible corruption, and favoritism to politically-affiliated individuals and close associates of top government officials in awarding points.
The social housing initiative came into spotlight recently after Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (MNPHI) publicized the permanent list of tenants. Following this, several members of the public entered the MNPHI premises to raise their concerns.
More than 20,000 people applied for the scheme out of which 13,000 were deemed eligible. The government earlier announced all eligible applicants will receive housing.
However, for the 4,000 units currently developed by Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC), government decided to allocate them to the applicants receiving the highest scores in the respective categories. The scheme consists of two categories; two-bedroom and three-bedroom.
Applicants should score 76 points and above to become eligible for three-bedroom units, and a score of 73 points and above will be deemed eligible for two-bedroom units.
ACC intervened and demanded from MNPHI to provide sufficient duration for applicants to lodge complaints, and review said complaints before the units were handed over.
The commission entered MNPHI premises to conduct further investigation on the matter, and following multiple public complaints of gross misconduct by the ministry.