Housing Land and Urban Development Minister Dr. Ali Haider has said that he does not know the date on which the land will be handed over to the recipients of land from Gulhifalhu.

The minister was responding to a question by North Galolhu MP Mohammed Ibrahim in the Parliament today while making the statement.

The minister said that while housing is a high priority for this government, the land has not been completely dredged.

"The site is also currently being heavily used for bridge works and is expected to be vacated by September next year. The eligible people will be allocated land when the work is completed," he added.

The minister said there are other factors to consider when handing over the land. As such he noted that the land allocated there was not suitable for living.

"Therefore, we have prepared a land use plan based on the development of the site with structural, economic and social resources to enable the people to live there at ease. The plan will be appreciated by the community," the Minister highlighted.

He further revealed that the transfer of land plots from Giraavrufalhu to Gulhifalhu has been completed, with the new plots being added to the new land use plan.

The Construction Ministry also said that the dredging work will be carried out and discussions are underway to hand over the matter to MTCC.

"They did not say a specific date for completion. 85 hectares are still to be dredged. It is difficult to say a specific date. The land use plan will be approved and a survey will be conducted. It is not appropriate to do it at the moment because the bridge is being constructed,” he said.