President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to launch a major modern housing project for members of the Maldives National Defence Force and the Maldives Police Service, pledging to redevelop the long-neglected Bandeyri Koshi area.
Speaking on Saturday night, President Muizzu said the Bandeyri Koshi area had remained without meaningful development for many years despite repeated discussions by successive administrations. He said the current housing arrangements were inadequate in terms of quality, space utilisation and the number of families accommodated.
According to President, the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development has already begun the necessary work to move the project forward.
“We intend to transform the entire Bandeyri Koshi area by implementing a modern housing scheme,” President Muizzu said, adding that the government aims to bring the project to the implementation stage within this year or by early next year.
President further stated that the government’s target is to officially launch the large-scale housing initiative within the next eight months. The project is expected to prioritise housing benefits for serving MNDF and police personnel and their families under existing regulations.
President also acknowledged that temporary relocation arrangements for families during the redevelopment process would need to be managed as part of the project’s operational planning.
Highlighting housing as a fundamental right of every Maldivian citizen, President Muizzu said the government had placed housing at the centre of its developmental and social policies.
“Following the protection of our nation and safeguarding our independence, the most important priority is ensuring basic housing for every citizen,” President Muizzu said.
President noted that a dedicated quota for military personnel already exists within current government housing schemes, but admitted that the allocation remains insufficient. He pledged to expand opportunities for members of the armed forces to receive housing through future government programmes.
The announcement comes as the government continues to promote housing expansion as a key national policy, with several large-scale housing initiatives currently planned across the Maldives.
