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Maldives launches major project to upgrade sewerage system in capital

Fathmath Shaahunaz
04 April 2017, MVT 18:00
MWSC's Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul (L), Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim (L-2) and Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer (L-3) inaugurate the project to upgrade the sewerage system of capital Male. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI/MIHAARU
Fathmath Shaahunaz
04 April 2017, MVT 18:00

The government on Tuesday launched a major project to overhaul the sewerage system of the Maldives’ capital Male.

The government awarded the Male sewerage system project to Male Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) for MVR 75 million. The project was inaugurated by Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer, Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim and MWSC’s Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed.

Speaking at the ceremony, Environment Minister Thoriq noted that there has not been major changes or improvements to Male’s sewerage network which was first established 32 years ago, which has resulted in public problems such as leaking junctions. He criticised past administrations for their failure to “upgrade such a basic need”, pointing out that a large number of people migrate to Male from across the atolls.

In that tangent, he praised President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s government for the development projects it has brought about and vowed that its ministers are united in implementing the government’s policies.

MWSC’s MD Fazul said that the project will be completed by the end of next year, which he assured will bring much needed relief to residents of the capital. According to Fazul, the project will upgrade around 8,000 sewerage networks.

He also announced that water production will be established in three locations of capital Male instead of the current two.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Zameer said that upgrading Male’s sewerage system is a high priority project of President Yameen due to the increasing number of households and buildings being developed in the capital.

“[Sewerage system upgrade] is something absolutely necessary for Male at this point,” he said.

Male’s sewerage system was established during the 1980’s to cater for the capital’s population of 70,000-80,000 at that time. However, with a population now close to 200,000, the sewerage system is overloaded, resulting in leaking junctions that have to be continuously repaired across the capital.

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