Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure has revealed a large number of water supply and sewerage system development projects will be completed in 2022.
A large number of ongoing projects in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) budget are for the development of water supply and sewerage systems. A total of 435 infrastructure projects are being conducted under the mandate of the planning ministry, which includes the development of airports, harbours, water supply, and sewerage systems, roads, and housing. In this regard, the fieldwork for 130 of the projects has begun while some projects are in the design, environmental impact assessment, or survey stage.
The work is part of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's pledge to decentralise governance in the Maldives and provide infrastructure development and basic services to the atolls. In 2019, the planning ministry awarded 130 projects, 67 projects in 2020, and 75 projects so far in 2021, most of which were water supply and sewerage system development projects.
Speaking to PSM News, Director General of Planning Ministry Fathimath Shaana said 50% of the projects awarded to contractors in 2019 are 50% complete. Shaana said the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the completion of the two-year projects by around eight months. She said the re-opening of international borders has allowed contractors to bring in the necessary equipment and resources to resume work at the sites and that the ministry expects many of the water supply and sewerage systems to be completed in 2022.