EPA advises parties not to litter streets during campaigns

Environment Protecting Agency (EPA) has advised political parties to refrain from littering the streets while they campaign ahead of the Parliamentary Election.

Assistant Director of EPA Ahmed Murthala said that parties have been advised to stop littering the streets, and since there are several independent candidates contesting the Parliamentary Election, Elections Commission will also be requested to do the necessary to put an end to littering by candidates.

He said that since the recent implementation of the Waste Management Regulation, several complaints had been received regarding littering by political parties, which will be investigated.

He said however that action has not yet been taken against any group .

“We have no obstructions to taking action against those who violate the regulation, but the problem is that we are not yet able to monitor properly, due to shortage of staff. Even if an incident of littering is reported, it would not be possible to take action if we don’t know who committed the offence,” he said.

He said that efforts are ongoing, in collaboration with Maldives Police Service, to have ‘environment police’ on the streets.

“The implementation of some parts of this regulation has been postponed for two months. This includes registration of people transporting waste on bicycles. After registration, they will not be allowed to carry exposed waste hanging from their bicycles,” Murthala said.

The implementation of this regulation was followed by the placement of dustbins in several locations in Male’ by Male’ City Council.

The Waste Management Regulation states that dustbins must be placed at all public places, and failing to use these bins could result in a fine of MVR 100.

Failure by the institutions responsible for maintaining public places to place dustbins can mean they are fined between MVR 10,000 and MVR 100,000.