Shakeel Mohamed: "In a year at the head of the ministry, I have not allocated any state land, whether beachfront or otherwise, to anyone"

Shakeel Mohamed, the third-ranking member of the government, asserts that since he took charge of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, no state land—neither beachfront nor any other type—has been allocated to anyone. He made this statement on Thursday evening following the Mauritius Real Estate Awards 2025 ceremony held at the InterContinental Hotel in Balaclava. He emphasized several realities regarding public land management and real estate development in Mauritius.

The minister referred to the "abuses" of the past: certain individuals allegedly obtained public land due to their connections with the former regime, despite lacking the means to invest in it. Many, according to him, later sought funds from the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC) for the construction of hotels that never materialized, resulting in the loss of public funds. Others allegedly attempted to monetize these lands, transforming state assets into private opportunities, he stated.

Shakeel Mohamed also highlighted that many investors are injecting their capital into the country, thereby contributing to job creation and economic growth. Their presence is essential, he insisted, as without them "we would face serious problems." However, he acknowledged the difficulty some Mauritians face in accessing property in an increasingly unaffordable real estate market.

According to him, the government is now adopting a more cautious approach to ensure balanced development. "Our interest," he stated, "is to collaborate with developers who can add real value to Mauritius and create wealth for Mauritians."

He concluded by stating that no state land has been allocated since he took office.