His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom inaugurated a special program under the ‘Gedhoruverikurun’ program, at a function held at Jumhooree Maidhan last night.

Under the State’s housing policy, the second phase of Hulhumale’ housing project was launched at this function to build 15,000 social housing units by 2018. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muizzu signed contracts with five foreign companies, which included those from China, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

Speaking at the function, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had said that these housing units will provide accommodation for more than 65,000 people, sheltering approximately 1/5 of the population. The President said that a new round of the project will begin before the completion of these 15000 units, ensuring that Maldivians still in need of housing gets the opportunity to apply to the units from anywhere in the Maldives.

President Yameen also launched a new loan scheme for housing as ‘Male’ Loan Program’, with the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC).

During the ceremony, the flats built at old Arabia School and ‘Gaa Koshi’ area were handed over to the government by Apex Reality Pvt Ltd. In addition, Islamic Loan Facility for housing was also awarded to the recipients at this function.

Photo credits: Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Maldives