Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna has stated the Greater Male' Connectivity Bridge will decrease the cost of waste management in the region.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Shauna said the government is working to establish waste transfer stations at Male', Villimale', and Hulhumale' to transport waste to Thilafushi using containers. However, Minister Shauna said the connectivity bridge will allow for a better transfer process without the risk of waste leakage into the sea.
The minister said the government will also establish an environment-friendly process of eliminating waste in Thilafushi using modern technology, with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The bridge will make it easier for Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) to provide its services and lower the cost of waste management, said minister.
Speaking to PSM News, the Managing Director of WAMCO Adam Mohamed highlighted the state-owned company provides 24-hour services, adding the bridge will make daily operations easier and will prevent disruption of services during emergency situations.
The environment ministry and WAMCO is currently working to modernise the process of waste management in Thilafushi and eliminate smoke emissions by the end of the month. The project to modernise the waste management system in Thilafushi is being conducted with assistance from ADB, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and the Japan Fund for Joint Credit Management.
The ministry stated the project will be completed by the end of December.