Shakeel Mohamed: "In a year at the head of the ministry, I have not allocated any state land, nor any beachfront property to anyone"

Shakeel Mohamed stated, "In the year that I have been at the helm of the ministry, I have not allocated any state land, neither beachfront nor any other type, to anyone."

The number 3 in the government insists that since he took charge of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, no state land—beachfront or otherwise—has been awarded to anyone. Shakeel Mohamed made these remarks on Thursday evening after 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 mentioned past "mismanagement," stating that certain individuals had acquired public lands due to their connections with the previous regime, despite lacking the means to invest in them. Many, according to him, subsequently sought funds from the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC) for hotels that never materialized, resulting in the loss of public funds. Others allegedly attempted to sell these lands, turning state assets into private opportunities, he claimed.

Shakeel Mohamed also highlighted that numerous investors are injecting capital into the country, contributing to job creation and economic growth. Their presence is crucial, he insisted, as without them, "we would face serious problems." However, he acknowledged the difficulty for some Mauritians to access property in a market where real estate is increasingly out of reach.

He noted that the government is now taking a more cautious approach to ensure balanced development. "Our interest," he stated, "is to collaborate with developers who can bring real added value to Mauritius and create wealth for Mauritians."

In this context, he concluded, no state land has been allocated since he took office.