Ministry of Finance has begun seeking a company that can supply waste management equipment to the islands in Zones 4 and 5.
The finance ministry announced that it is seeking a company to procure waste management equipment for the islands under the Maldives Clean Environment Projects (MCEP), which is financed by the World Bank. Bidding will be conducted through international competitive procurement using a Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF) Borrowers. Interested bidders are required to register with the finance ministry for the project by October 30 with a payment of a non-refundable registration fee through the specified online payment portal.
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology has revealed that waste management machines will be provided to all inhabited islands to solve the main issue concerning the transportation of waste. Currently, waste management work is separated into different zones, with waste from Noonu Atoll, Raa Atoll, Baa Atoll, and Lhaviyani Atoll transported to the regional waste facility in Vandhoo in Raa Atoll, while waste from Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and Shaviyani Atoll are transported to Kunburudhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Additionally, waste from Kaafu Atoll and other islands in the region is transported to Thilafushi in Kaafu Atoll, while waste from Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, and Fuvahmulah City is transported to the regional waste management facility in Addu City.
The government has been working to solve the waste management issues in the country, which are mainly caused by islands not having a designated landfill area and having no means to sustainably dispose of waste. As such, the waste management bill has been amended to make it mandatory for local councils to designate a waste management site on each island within one year after the bill is made into law. The bill also hands over numerous waste management-related responsibilities to local councils.