The Meedhoo Island Council has signed an agreement with the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) to allocate 3,000 square meters of land at no cost for the construction of an ice plant in Meedhoo, Dhaalu Atoll. MIFCO said that the council’s decision reflects its strong support for local fishermen.
The ice plant is part of the government’s Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and is aimed at enhancing fishing operations in the area. The agreement, which includes the construction of an ice plant and storage facility, was officially signed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources and MIFCO on September 24, 2023.
Speaking at the land handover ceremony, General Manager at MIFCO Engineering and Projects Department Muaz Ali highlighted that the ice plant would help ensure a supply of fresh fish to local fishermen. He noted that while the councils charge only a nominal fee, MIFCO sells ice at an affordable price to promote the catch of high-quality fish, even though it is not financially lucrative for the company. Once the project is complete, he said that the region is expected to see an improvement in the quality of its fish.
Meanwhile, President of the Meedhoo Island Council Ibrahim Naseem expressed optimism that the ice plant would transform the economy of the island. He also said that the ice lant will benefit small businesses and boost the income of individuals involved in fishing, farming, and aquaculture both in Meedhoo and nearby islands.
In addition to Meedhoo, MIFCO will implement similar ice plant projects in Bandidhoo, Dhaalu Atoll, and Funadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll. Each facility will produce 30 tonnes of ice daily and will include 50 tonnes of ice storage. The overall project, costing USD 2 million, will allocate USD 519,000 for each plant. The funding will also provided by the government.