MoUs signed with 32 islands as part of Greater Malé Environmental Improvement, Waste Management Project

The government has signed memorandums of understanding with the councils of 32 islands, on the Greater Malé Environmental Improvement and Waste Management Project.

The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, where council presidents from 32 islands of Zone III including Alif Alif, Alif Dhaalu, Kaafu and Vaavu atolls, signed agreements on behalf of their respective councils.

Under the agreements, the government will establish waste management facilities in the islands. As such, waste management centers are to be established across 15 islands and those already established in 11 islands will be upgraded.

The project carries the purpose of strengthening solid waste management systems within islands.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aishath Shauna, revealed that the empowerment of atolls and island councils by vesting them the powers gathered in the capital city for the implementation of decentralized policies, is an important pillar of development.

She noted that the role island and atoll councils play is very important in providing municipal services to citizens.

Further Minister Shauna revealed that a system to safely manage waste and making this a means of income for the people was an important policy in the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s manifesto and Agenda 19.

She went on to reveal that the government amended its decentralization act with high hopes of expanding the roles and responsibilities of island and atoll councils in managing waste and with guarantee that positive changes will be observed due to this.

The project is being carried out with the support from Asian Development Bank, Technical Assistance Special Fund as well as Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction or JFPR.

The project will see the establishments of sustainable solid waste management systems by establishing modern waste collection, transfer and disposal systems, building institutional capacity for sustainable services delivery as as raising public awareness on reducing, reusing and recycling.