The Ministries of Housing and Planning, and Construction and Infrastructure, have been merged, with the current Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar now appointed as the Minister of Higher Education.

Although the government has not officially announced the changes, reliable sources informed Adhadhu that Dr. Haidar assumed his new duties at the Ministry of Higher Education earlier today.

Dr. Mariyam Mariya, previously the Higher Education Minister, has been reassigned as the Minister of Animal Welfare and Agriculture. She had temporarily overseen the Agriculture Ministry following former Minister Aishath Rameela’s resignation during an earlier cabinet reshuffle.

The reasons behind merging the two ministries and reassigning Dr. Haidar and Dr. Mariya’s portfolios remain unclear. These changes come two weeks after fires destroyed the Housing and Construction Ministry buildings. The reshuffle also coincides with public criticism over corruption of Binveriyaa scheme land plots and delays in announcing lists for the Gedhoruveriyaa housing scheme.

In another cabinet adjustment, planning functions previously handled by the Housing Ministry have been transferred to the Ministry of Finance, now renamed the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

With these changes, the government now operates with 21 ministries. This marks the second cabinet reshuffle in the 14 months since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took office. The first reshuffle followed the resignation of former Finance Minister Mohamed Shafeeq.