USD 126 million project to develop Thilafushi

Environment Minister, Thoriq Ibrahim has said that a project worth USD 126 million is set to begin to develop Thilafushi with aid from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Speaking at a press conference at the Environment Ministry today, Minister Thoriq said that the project will conducted in several phases. And so a land will be reclaimed with dredging and a waste management center will be established at the island.

While a waste transfer center is also set to be included in the project with the help of the ADB, Minister Thoriq said that consultants have been acquired for the project and the design work is almost complete. And the project will be open for tender next month.

The Minister also noted that an incinerator has been imported and is being installed at Thilafushi as part of the development.

He said that the primary disposal by the incinerator will be dangerous waste such as medical waste from the hospitals.

Minsiter Thoriq said that no such means to dispose such waste was possible in the country before.

The Environment Minister said that the goal is to stop open burning of waste at Thilafushi by the end of the year. Balers for garbage is being brought in towards that goal and a large incinerator can dispose of those waste according to the Minister.

Minister Thoriq said that they are working to install waste management centers on every island with the help of the World Bank before the end of the year.