Gulhifalhu Citizens' Association has accused Construction Minister Abdullah Muththalib of lying about discussing with the association before changing the island's land use plan for a second time.
The government said land plots reserved for natives of Male' have been moved to one area of Gulhifalhu because it was difficult to hand over land registries for land plots in areas that have not yet been reclaimed.
“This change has been shared with the association representing the land recipients from Gulhifalhu and discussions have been held on how to hand over the land plots,” Muththalib said in a post on X on Saturday.
But the Gulhifalhu Citizens' Association said the government did not discuss the matter and only met with the association to inform them about the decision.
"Muththalib did not consult us. He said the land use plan has been gazetted and this is how it is planned. Minister, don't blame us and please answer our phone calls," the association posted on X.
The government decided to allocate 3670 land plots in Gulhifalhu. This includes 1337 plots of land transferred from Giraavarufalhu. The latest change to the land use plan shows 90 more land plots in Gulhifalhu. It is unclear why these land plots were added.
The former government published the first land use plan on August 24, 2023. The current government brought changes to the plan on October 27, 2024. According to the government, the change was made because of the lack of vital infrastructure.
Changes to the Land Use Plan have changed the location of the lots. However, the government has not issued a new registry to those who received land in Gulhifalhu. The land use plan was changed for a second time last Friday. Muththalib said the purpose is to issue registration soon after giving land from the already reclaimed area.
“The land registration has become difficult because the lottery has been held to give land from areas that are yet to be reclaimed," he said.
But, there are no obstacles to issuing land registries for plots on areas yet to be reclaimed. In order to implement the Binveriya Scheme, the Land Registration Rules were amended to allow land to be allocated from such areas.
