Minister: Water and sewerage system projects will begin in 16 islands this year

Minister of Environment and Energy Thorig Ibrahim has said that projects to establish water and sewerage systems, funded by loans worth MVR 771 million from foreign groups, will begin in 16 islands this year.

Thorig made this remark while speaking at a ceremony at Mookai Hotel to award contracts for the establishment of a water and sewerage system in Gnaviyani Fuvahmulah.

He said that sewerage system projects in 11 islands, and water system projects in five islands would be completed by the end of 2016 or in early 2017.

Highlighting the priority given by the government to providing basic services to people in all islands, Thorig said that water and sewerage system projects worth MVR 700 million were already under way in about 14 islands. He said that these projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

He added that efforts would begin shortly to train people for jobs required for upcoming mega projects, such as in the fields of operations and maintenance, as part of the government’s efforts to increase job opportunities.