Discussion underway to secure over USD 100 mn for Waste Management Project

Maldivian government has started discussions with Asian Development Bank (ADB) in a bid to secure more than USD 100 million for the Waste Management Project in greater Male’ region, V. Atoll, and A. A. Atoll and A. Dh. Atoll.

Maldivian government has divided the islands from north to south into seven regions for the waste management project.

Work on a waste management system in Region I is in progress, and work on a waste management system in Region II is already complete.

Government began its discussions with ADB to secure funding to establish the waste management system in Region III, Male’ region this Wednesday morning at STELCO.

Speaking during the discussions, Minister of Finance, Ahmed Munawwar said the government wanted to start the waste management project in Male’ region next year, but that it was a costly affair.

Minister Munawwar said the work was estimated to cost more than USD 100 million.

Minister of Environment and Energy, Toriq Ibrahim noted that the two main industries of the country – the fisheries industry and the tourism industry – were heavily dependent on the environment.

He also said the progress had been made on waste management to protect the environment over the past three years.

“There have been achievements over the past three years – one of which is the waste management policy. Maldives has been divided into seven regions. Region II is complete.

Work on region I has started. And we are now looking to start work on Region III – the Male’ region,” said Minister Toriq.

Toriq said the government had already hired a consultant to do research work on Thilafushi Island – where systems for waste management in Male’ region will be built.

“We have shared this with both ADB and World Bank. To ensure that this goes within accordance with World Bank’s scope. We want to start this the coming year,” he said.

Minister Toriq said the government did not want to waste any time, and would be starting work on the southern-most part of Maldives – Region VII in 2017 as well.

He said the government was in the process of acquiring equipment, and doing design work on the waste management system.