President Ali Addresses Opposition’s Misinformation Amid Housing Development Progress

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has strongly criticized the opposition’s portrayal of the government’s achievements, particularly in the housing sector, calling their narratives “misinformation and propaganda.” During a live broadcast on Thursday, he highlighted that nearly 21,000 acres of land have been developed for housing purposes, with a significant portion allocated to low-, moderate-, and middle-income families, as well as young professionals.

Dr. Ali asserted that the opposition’s lack of acknowledgment regarding these developments is intentional, stating, “They will ignore these accomplishments because it does not align with their agenda.” He accused the opposition of fostering division and unrest within the society, urging citizens to remain vigilant against their misleading narratives.

The President emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency in land allocations, revealing that less than 10% of the total land developed has been given to private developers. He reiterated that these allocations undergo a stringent review process, dismissing the opposition’s claims of corruption as mere attempts to distract from the government’s progress.

In line with the government’s objective, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, announced during the Committee of Supply’s Consideration of Estimates and Expenditure for the 2025 Budget that the government plans to surpass its original target of 10,000 house lots for this year. He stated, “We have 10,000 house lots remaining, but we can do more, and we are going to do more,” projecting an ambitious goal to triple this allocation.

Minister Croal attributed the increased housing distribution to strategic planning and heightened investment in the sector, with house lots set to be made available across all 10 administrative regions. A breakdown of allocations showcased a steady increase in the number of house lots distributed over the years: 2,759 in 2020, 6,989 in 2021, 10,695 in 2022, and 9,056 in 2023, culminating in a record-breaking 10,797 lots in 2024.

To date, the PPP/C government has allocated a total of 40,808 residential house lots, with a continuous focus on enhancing home ownership opportunities for citizens, especially within low- and middle-income brackets. Various initiatives have been implemented to accelerate housing development throughout the country, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving the living conditions of its citizens.