A draw has been held among the recipients of 183 plots of land to be allocated by Eydhafushi Council, Baa Atoll. This is the first time land is being allocated to citizens from Eydhafushi in 36 years.
The Eydhafushi Council initially decided to allocate land for residential purposes in 2019. At the time, the council proposed to allocate 158 plots of 1400 square feet. Although applications were opened after the necessary preparations were completed, the then-Ministry of Planning and Development asked the Council to stop the allocation of land due to issues in the allocation policy.
Later, in 2020, the Council once resumed efforts to allocate land from the island. A total of 662 individuals applied for 158 plots in that round. After assessing the applications, the interim list of recipients was made public and opened for complaints. However, the allocation of land was delayed once again after a member of the public filed a case in the Eydhafushi Court alleging that the land was allocated in violation of policies.
After the case was concluded, the Council decided to increase the number of land plots from 158 to 183, and reduce the plot size from 1,400 square feet to 1,200 square feet. The decision was made in March 2024 to ensure housing for as many people as possible. A total of 525 individuals applied for land in this round.
On Tuesday, a special ceremony was held at the Eydhafushi Football Stadium to determine the recipients of 183 plots of land. A draw was held in the order of points received by applicants, and by order of listing in the event of tied scores. The recipients were handed over their land receipt certificates during the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Eydhafushi Council President Mohamed Fathih said that housing remains the most important need for every family, and that the issuance of land plots would ease the housing crisis the island faces.
"The land allocated today will make the dreams of many come true. It will solve numerous social issues and bring happiness to families," Fathih said.
Fathih said the Council will start boundary demarcation from 14 July, as outlined in the land receipt document issued to land recipients.
Edhafushi, which has a population of over 3,500, last allocated land in 1989, when 659 plots were allocated. In 2014, the government spent USD 8.17 million from the state budget to dredge 26 hectares of land in Eydhafushi to address the lack of space on the island.
The current government is also undertaking significant efforts to address Eydhafushi’s housing crisis. In this regard, China's SinoHydro Corporation has been awarded a contract to build 1,000 housing units in the island. The project will include 12 15-storey towers.