Despite 70 percent of Rasmaadhoo water plant being completed, current administration has halted project and left facility to fall into ruin
The Rasmaadhoo Island Council has expressed concern over the prolonged suspension of the island's water system project, stating that the delay is causing significant social and economic hardship for residents. Despite the majority of the infrastructure being completed and machinery already installed, the lack of progress is severely hindering local businesses, particularly the burgeoning local tourism sector. Consequently, the council has called on the government to expedite the project's completion to address the island's contaminated groundwater issues and provide a sustainable solution for the community.
The Rasmaadhoo water plant project, which was 70 percent complete when President Muizzu took office, has come to a standstill. The site has since become overgrown with dense vegetation. | Raajje MV
The President of the R. Rasmadhoo Island Council, Mohamed Asif, has stated that work on the island's water plant has come to a standstill and the facility is being left to deteriorate. According to Asif, the project was 70 percent complete when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration took office.
In an interview with RaajjeTV, Asif expressed concern over the difficulties facing the island's residents due to the continued suspension of the project.
The project, which commenced under the MDP administration in December 2021, was initially contracted to be completed within one year. Asif stated that by the time the government changed, the installation of pipelines across all island roads had been finished, and the project had progressed to the stage of establishing household connections. He further noted that the construction of the water production facility has been completed, and the RO plant has been installed, leaving the system ready to commence service.
By the time the administration changed, 70 percent of the project had already been completed. All street pipelines had been laid, with every line installed except for the rainwater drainage system. The work had progressed to the stage of establishing household connections. The boreholes have been drilled and all storage tanks have been assembled. Construction of the facility itself is finished, and an RO plant is already on-site. The project was essentially at the stage where it only required final installation to begin providing services.Mohamed Asif, President of the R. Rasmaadhoo Island Council
He further stated that no practical work has been carried out on this project since the current administration took office.
Asif stated that the council has held repeated meetings with the relevant ministries regarding the water plant project. He noted that while the most recent information suggested the project would be awarded to MWSC, the council recently received documentation from the Ministry indicating that the contract has instead been awarded to a company called "Altec Maldives." However, Asif pointed out that there has been no communication or progress from the contractor to date.
The council believes that the contamination of Rasmaadhoo’s groundwater and the subsequent delays in completing this project pose a significant obstacle to the island’s economy, particularly for local tourism. Asif called for the swift completion of the project, noting that the lack of access to clean drinking water remains a major barrier for residents looking to establish and grow local businesses.
The project, which was mobilized on December 4, 2021, and contracted for completion within one year, was approximately 70 percent complete with machinery already installed by the time the administration changed. However, the Island Council noted that the public remains deeply concerned as all progress has stalled since then, leaving the island's water crisis unresolved.
