The barge that ran aground on to the Kulhudhuffushi reef six months ago remains unremoved despite repeated appeals by the EPA to the owner.
The barge boat that ran ashore onto the Haa Dhaalu Atoll Kulhudhuffushi reef last July has been left on the island reef for six months without any efforts for removal.
This barge ran aground on July 16 last year while traveling nearby the island hauling 6000 tons of granite.
In a press statement given to Mihaaru News, Director General of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ibrahim Naeem said that the contents have been cleared. He clarified that despite having been issued deadlines to remove the watercraft on multiple ocassions, the owner has made no attempts to remove it.
"We have given many deadlines. The owner always says he will remove it. But he does not. We can only take action after doing a survey once they remove the watercraft," Naeem said.
Kulhudhuffushi Council has not said anything regarding the issue.
Once a watercraft runs ashore a local island, EPA begins its investigation on the matter. However, action can only be taken following a survey after the removal of the craft. The constitution does not offer any solution other than appealing to remove it regardless of the aircraft remaining atop the reef for countless days.
While last year found an increase in tug boats and barges running aground, a barge hauling building stones for the preservation of the Gnaviyani Atoll Fuvahmulah endangered area had also crashed onto a local reef. Additionally, a boat belonging to MM Exports had run ashore onto the Haa Alif Atoll Dhihdhoo island reef.
After investigating the damage caused to the reef in these two incidents, the owners of both vessels were fined accordingly.
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