Since the change of government, Hoarafushi bottling plant has been left to rust and decay
The Hoarafushi Island Council has raised concerns over the deteriorating state of a 12.5 million Rufiyaa water bottling plant established with Indian financial assistance, which has reportedly come to a complete standstill. Council President Mohamed Waheed noted that despite all necessary machinery being delivered and staff being recruited, the project was halted following the change in government; he further alleged that Fenaka Corporation has since removed the air conditioning units from the facility, leaving the infrastructure to fall into disrepair.
The water bottling plant developed by the previous administration in HA. Hoarafushi. | Raajje MV
The President of the Hoarafushi Council, Mohamed Waheed, has stated that the water bottling plant developed by the previous administration on the island has been left to rust and deteriorate. He further noted that the current government's only action regarding the facility has been to dismantle the air conditioning units and relocate them elsewhere.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Haalu Kihineh" program, Hoarafushi Council President Mohamed Waheed stated that the island's bottling plant was an initiative established under a grant from the Indian High Commission during the previous administration. Waheed detailed that 12.5 million Rufiyaa has been invested in the project. He further noted that all the necessary machinery required for water production has already been procured and delivered to the plant.
He stated that the only thing remaining was to commence operations at the facility. He noted that staff had already been recruited; however, following the change in administration, all those employees were dismissed. He further remarked that no additional work has been carried out since the new government took office, and the facility has been left to rust in the same state it was in during the transition.
"I cannot state the exact number of letters we have sent to bring this matter to the government's attention. The residents of Hoarafushi have lodged numerous complaints with the Council. Air conditioning units already installed here, as well as those brought in to be installed, are being removed from the premises. We urged Fenaka to cease these actions, noting that this is a project involving the Council's participation and funded by the Indian High Commission. Therefore, removing any items from this site without the Council's permission or consultation is a highly uncivilized act. Nevertheless, they proceeded to take everything."Hoarafushi Council President Mohamed Waheed
Waheed stated that all necessary equipment and materials were already at the plant when the government changed. He noted that only a very small phase remained to complete the project; however, the site has since been neglected and left to fall into ruin.
Although staff were initially recruited for the bottling plant, they were all dismissed in June last year following the change in government.
The government has announced the suspension of the bottling plant project in Hoarafushi, in which the local council holds a 40 percent stake, despite failing to officially notify the council of the decision.
Among the pledges made by President Muizzu during his transition to power, he assured the public that no ongoing development projects would be halted and that no government employees, with the exception of those in political appointees, would be dismissed from their positions.
