Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has stated that renovations have been completed at the newly built housing units in Naifaru, Lhaviyani Atoll.
The planning ministry contracted Rasheed Carpentry and Construction Private Limited (RCC) to construct 100 housing units in Naifaru under a design-and-build policy in 2020. RCC completed the project and handed over the flats to the government in February 2022. The housing units are split into four buildings, and each unit has three rooms with bathrooms, a sitting room, a kitchen, and a small storage room. Naifaru Island Council is now in charge of managing the flats.
Afterward, a petition signed by 98 residents of the flats was sent to the ministry, addressing their concerns over defects found in the buildings. The ministry also received an official complaint from the island council on May 19.
The ministry stated that small cracks had been formed due to the housing units being built on reclaimed land but that no structural damage had been found. It also stated that only the top-floor apartments were affected by water leaking from the windows due to ineffective seals. It also addressed concerns over the water supply system, by stating that the flats are temporarily connected to a well water system but will be switched to the water supply system. It further stated that the outer walls have been re-constructed in accordance with the wishes of the flat owners.
RCC conducted the renovation with approval from the owners and the local council, as part of the agreement requiring the contractor to handle any renovation work at the flats for a one-year period after the completion of the project, which is the defects liability period.