The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, the Ministry of Finance, and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) have signed a tripartite agreement to lease land in Hulhumale' for the construction of a waste transfer station.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of State for Finance Ahmed Mazin, and Managing Director of HDC Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed. The initiative is part of the Waste Management Improvement and Waste-to-Energy Project, which is supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). As part of the project, HDC will lease one hectare of land for the waste transfer station to enhance waste management in Hulhumale'.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Thoriq highlighted that the previous government failed to establish a safe waste management system in Hulhumale', despite allocated budgets. He emphasised that the current administration is prioritising this issue, with plans already underway to implement a modern waste management system in the area. He noted that one hectare of land has been allocated with the assistance of HDC, and construction of the waste transfer station will begin soon.
Meanwhile, Fazul remarked that Hulhumale' has yet to see the implementation of an ideal waste management system. He said that a significant amount of waste has been transported from Hulhumale' to Thilafushi over the past nine months, largely due to the lack of adequate facilities at the Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO).
The environment ministry said that the construction of the Hulhumale' waste transfer station is a key part of the government's broader efforts to establish sustainable waste management across the country. The project, with an estimated cost of USD 13 million, is expected to complete its design phase within 18 months.