Male’, Maldives – Speaking at Parliament, Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Mohamed Aslam said that the government has plans to allow locals to purchase land on some islands and revealed his intention to hold discussions on the matter.
Speaking last Wednesday at Parliament, Aslam said that policies that would allow for the sale of some portion of land reclaimed in islands to Maldivians who are not residents of the said island have been passed by a committee that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is also a member of.
The Minister said that, for the development of an area, it is important for individuals with a certain set of characteristics to be staying there, and that a community can only advance when the intelligent individuals and wealthy people connect within the community.
Minister Aslam added that Maldives is the only country that gives out government owned land for free and that there are no plans to change this as it has become customary.
He explained that estimates show that some islands have land that can be sold for a large amount of money, and that if these do get sold, and that he believes this would greatly contribute to the development of the area. Adding that these lands would be purchased by wealthy individuals, that would bring great contributions and income to these islands.
The Minster also revealed that the area of land available in Maldives, the area of sellable land and the base rate for land sale have all been investigated and decided.
Minister Aslam further noted that the President advised to go ahead with the plan only after discussing with Parliamentary members and Ward Councils.
