President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the Government will take a different approach to housing delivery from previous administrations, with land plots to be allocated only after reclamation is completed and flats to be handed over only after construction has been finished.

The President made the remarks during Monday’s press conference at the President’s Office in response to a question from a journalist regarding the Government’s decision to provide flats to employees of the Maldives Correctional Service.

President Dr Muizzu said previous governments had issued land plots before the necessary land was reclaimed. He said the current Administration would not follow that approach and would instead ensure that all required preparatory work is completed before any housing is allocated.

He added that adequate housing is a fundamental right of all citizens and said the Government’s efforts are focused on ensuring that Maldivians are able to access that right.

The President also criticised previous administrations for making housing promises ahead of elections without delivering on them. He said the current administration is concentrating on reclaiming land and completing housing projects before making allocations.

President Dr Muizzu reaffirmed that if previous governments had issued formal documents promising housing, his Administration would honour those commitments and provide the promised homes.

He noted that the same principle was applied in delivering the 4,000 housing units initiated under the previous administration, as well as in arrangements made to provide housing for customs officers.

The Government has recently announced a decision to allocate flats to staff of the Maldives Correctional Service as part of its broader efforts to improve housing opportunities for public sector employees.