The management of the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) is “very lazy” and has deliberately failed to increase its waste disposal capacity, Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has alleged.

The remarks came during a Male' City Council meeting on Wednesday, where the council discussed a proposal to introduce an affordable large waste disposal service.

The motion was submitted by Hulhumale' North MP Fathimath Zahiyya (Zaya), who proposed launching the service in Male', Hulhumale' and Vilimale' due to the increasing amount of large waste, including refrigerators, mattresses and sofas, being dumped on roads.

Zaya said the council is forced to remove and clean up such waste when WAMCO fails to collect it.

She said that although large waste disposal should be provided free of charge, WAMCO currently charges MVR 550 for the service, making it unaffordable for many residents. As a result, people leave large items on the streets hoping they will be removed, she said.

WAMCO has temporarily reduced waste collection services following last week's fire at its waste management facility in Kaafu Thilafushi, with residents reporting difficulties in getting waste collected.

Mayor Azim criticized WAMCO's current management, while praising the company's employees.

"I have also tried to meet their senior officials. WAMCO employees are very hardworking. However, the management of WAMCO is very lazy and disconnected from the people," Azim said.

He said waste is accumulating on Male's streets because WAMCO is failing to fulfil its responsibilities and alleged that the company's capacity has not been expanded intentionally.

"It is obvious that garbage is being thrown onto the streets of Male' because WAMCO is unable to dispose of it. I believe WAMCO is doing this deliberately. They are not increasing their capacity on purpose," he said.

Azim also criticized the fees charged to the council when it collects waste itself, claiming the council is charged significantly more than members of the public.

"When our team cleans the roads of Male', if we charge MVR 1,000 from the public for each collection, WAMCO charges MVR 10,000 from the council. We are talking about a company that creates such difficulties," he said.

The mayor said WAMCO must either be strengthened or waste management services should be reformed, including potentially bringing the service under the city council.

He said waste management falls under the council's responsibility and that a solution must be found for the collection and disposal of waste.

Azim compared the current waste management situation to the water shortages Male' faced in previous years.

"Garbage has to be collected every day. But the company established by the government to handle this is not doing so. They are acting very lazily and are not paying enough attention," he said.

He also alleged that WAMCO's actions were intended to create difficulties for the council and damage its reputation.

Azim said the government should ensure council representation on the boards of WAMCO, Stelco and MWSC, arguing that this would allow councils to be informed and involved when issues arise.

The fire at WAMCO's Thilafushi facility last week disrupted waste transfer operations in Male', Hulhumale' and Vilimale', reducing the amount of waste the company could accept and contributing to waste accumulation in parts of the capital.

WAMCO Managing Director Mujuthaba Jaleel said the fire was believed to have been caused by recent high temperatures. Around 50 tonnes of waste were destroyed in the incident.

The burnt waste is scheduled to be removed and transported to the waste management facility in Haa Dhaalu Kumburudhoo today.