People's National Congress (PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to reclaim Gulhifalhu, Giraavaru lagoon and Fushidhiggaru lagoon to solve the housing crisis in the Male' region.
The plan was unveiled with the opposition manifesto for the September 9 election. The manifesto was launched during a rally at Hulhumale' phase 2 on Sunday night where Muizzu described housing as the most pressing issue.
Highlights from the manifesto
- Establishment of a high-speed ferry system between Male', Hulhumale', Villimale', Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru lagoon
- 5,000 housing unit project in Villimale'
- Allow 10-storey buildings in Villimale'
- Demolition of Sinamale' and Male' Hiyaa flats in Male' and and Sinamale' flats in Villimale' and replacing them with new flats
- Building houses to the desired design and height
- Establishment of seven urban areas in the north and south
- Give flats or land to every Maldivian above 18
- Housing loans at five percent interest rate
"Our plan is to provide 65,000 housing for the Male' area alone, including land and flats. We will provide 65,000 houses from Gulhifalhu, Giraavaru lagoon and Fushidhiggaru lagoon," Muizzu explained.
All residents of Male' will get guaranteed housing, he said after revealing a masterplan for the development of Fushidhiggaru lagoon.
Muizzu unveils manifesto.
"A large area of 1,280 hectares will be reclaimed in Fushidhiggaru lagoon. That is three times the amount of Phase 1 and Phase 2 combined. We are getting 11,970 land plots and 26,500 housing units in three-bedroom and four-bedroom plans," he said.
Muizzu also promised to further reclaim the Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru lagoon. Some 89 hectares of Giraavaru lagoon will be reclaimed for 1,050 land plots and 2,800 housing units. The land plots and housing units will be 1,400 and 1,650 square feet. The current administration is reclaiming 169 hectares of land
"We have decided to reclaim the Gulhifalhu including its deepest area, which will be 20 meters deep. It will have 304 hectares of land, larger than Phase 2. There will be 3,500 plots and 8,700 housing units. A total of 65,000," he said.
While the Gulhifalhu port is set to be opened for bidding, Muizzu said he would move the port to Thilafushi industrial island if elected.
The reclamation and development of Fushidhiggaru lagoon was a pledge made by jailed opposition leader and former President Abdulla Yameen during the 2018 presidential election.
Opposition rally for manifesto launching.
He planned to develop the region as Villimale' 2 with a population of around 300,000 people. The reclamation of Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru lagoon was also included as part of the project.
Yameen opened the opportunity to apply for the project with only two conditions - be above the age of 18 and not have 1,000 square feet of land registered to your name.
