The Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) has been awarded a contract to construct waste management facilities and buildings in 32 island. The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and WAMCO, with Minister of Environment Thoriq Ibrahim signing on behalf of the Ministry, and WAMCO’s Managing Director Mujthaba Jaleel signing on behalf of the corporation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister said the establishment of waste management facilities and centres in the islands will require the full cooperation from the island councils and island residents. This will ensure the timely completion of the project, he said.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged that proper waste management systems will be established in all islands of the Maldives by the end of the year. The President said in order to achieve this, the existing waste management centres in 128 islands will be upgraded.
The Environment Minister said in addition to the 32 islands included in the agreement signed on Monday, contracts to establish waste management facilities in remaining islands will be signed in the coming weeks.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, WAMCO’s Managing Director Mujthaba said the work of establishing an adequate waste management system is being carried out by WAMCO employees based in the region. Therefore, the work will be carried out at a lower cost while also avoiding outsourcing the work, he said.
"We are also constructing waste management buildings. Therefore, our staff will be aware of how to build the facilities in the most convenient way to manage waste in the island. We are also doing upgrades,” Mujthaba said.
Mujthaba further emphasised that the WAMCO’s goal is to establish and commence waste management systems in islands where urban centres will be established, as well as in atoll capitals before the end of the year.
In addition to the 32 islands included in the newly signed contract, WAMCO was also awarded the construction of waste management facilities in two other islands last month. Therefore, establishment of waste management systems in 34 islands, including upgrade work, will be carried out by WAMCO. While new buildings will be constructed in 21 islands, upgrade work will be implemented in the remaining islands.
The government aims to complete the work in all islands by the third quarter of this year.