HDC Urges Public to Cease Misinformation on Hulhumalé Land Sales

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has issued a public appeal, urging citizens to cease disseminating unverified information regarding the transparent allocation of land plots in Hulhumalé via a competitive bidding process.

This call comes amidst ongoing investigations by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and other relevant authorities into allegations of mismanagement of flats and land plots distributed under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ and ‘Binveriya’ housing schemes.

In a statement, HDC addressed concerns regarding the spread of misinformation about the allocation of land plots, asserting that the process was conducted transparently via a competitive bidding system. HDC highlighted that certain individuals have alleged that these transactions breached established guidelines and procedures, thereby undermining public trust in the organisation. The land plots were allocated through a transparent and competitive bidding process, strictly adhering to established procedures, it assured.

HDC elaborated on the process, stating that the first step requires interested parties to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs). Once these EOIs are received, the land plots are made available for bidding exclusively to those who have submitted EOIs, according to HDC. The plots are then awarded to the highest bidder. EOIs can be submitted at rates exceeding the base rate, which is approved by HDC’s Board of Directors, it added.

HDC reaffirmed its dedication to transparency and appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified information regarding the land plot sales.

This appeal comes amid the suspension of all HDC Board members, except the chairperson, by the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) on 19 December, due to the ongoing police investigation into allegations of mismanagement concerning the ‘Binveriya’ housing schemes.