Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna has said waste management centres have been established in 144 islands with additional 88 projects underway. She made the remarks while speaking at the ceremony held to celebrate the 7th Anniversary of Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO).
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Shauna said WAMCO has facilitated changing the ideology of people towards waste. She said the establishment of a company dedicated to waste management has strengthened efforts to manage waste in the Maldives.
In addition to Male' City, WAMCO provides waste management services in Vandhoo in Raa Atoll, Addu City, and Fuvahmulah City. Minister Shauna said the work being done by WAMCO is an example for all islands of the Maldives. She further revealed the Waste to Energy Project in Addu which will manage waste from southernmost zones six and seven and be overlooked by WAMCO.
Moreover, Minister Shauna spoke on the efforts of the administration to strengthen waste management in the islands. As such, she highlighted the ongoing to projects establish garbage fill areas, remove old landfills from the islands, and establish waste management facilities in the islands. She said waste management service has been defined as a public essential service with the newly formulated Waste Management Act.