L. Gan sewerage system fails, flooding streets with sewage; pumps sent to Male' remain unreturned
The residents of L. Gan are facing a severe public health crisis as the island’s damaged sewerage system causes raw sewage to overflow onto streets and into the sea. While the local council has accused Fenaka Corporation of negligence, noting that pumps sent for repair have remained unavailable for over a year, the utility provider has yet to resolve the issue. Amid growing fears of a potential disease outbreak, the council has launched an independent emergency cleanup initiative to mitigate the environmental and health risks facing the community.
An aerial view of Gan island in Laamu atoll. | Social Media
The L. Gan Island Council has warned that residents are facing a major public health crisis as the island's sewerage system fails, causing sewage to overflow onto the streets.
Gam Council President Ahmed Zaki stated that the failure of the island's sewerage system has led to sewage overflowing onto public streets. He noted that the situation worsens significantly during the rainy season, leading to an increase in illnesses, which has prompted the local hospital to lodge formal complaints with the council.
Zaki further stated that when the matter was raised with Fenaka, the utility company claimed that the pumps sent to Male' for repairs were never returned. He noted that it has been over a year since the pumps were transported to the capital for maintenance. He added that the government has made no effort to resolve the issue, leaving the council to take its own initiative in attempting to mitigate the persistent foul odor.
The sewage system in Gan has failed, causing raw sewage to overflow onto public streets. As seasonal rains worsen the spread of waste into residential areas, the risk of disease outbreaks is increasing daily. The local hospital has already lodged formal complaints with the Island Council regarding the situation. This is a recurring issue. When previously questioned, Fenaka Corporation stated that the failure is due to a lack of functional pumps, as those sent to Malé for repairs have yet to be returned. It has now been over a year since the pumps were sent for maintenance.Ahmed Zaki, President of the L. Gan Island Council
Zaki stated that the issue is most prevalent in the Thundi district of Gamu. While sewage is already overflowing from pump stations onto the streets in that area, he warned that the risk of contamination spreading to other districts has escalated, as pump stations and main holes in those locations are also currently lacking functional pumps. Furthermore, the council reported that a breach in the main outflow pipe has caused sewage to leak into the sea and across the shoreline.
Zaki stated that this situation has placed Gan’s population, consisting of 5,400 locals and approximately 1,200 expatriates, at significant health risk. The council further alleged that despite numerous additional issues within the sewerage system, neither Fenaka nor the government has taken any practical steps to resolve these concerns.
