President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the bill passed by the People's Majlis extending the deadline for establishing water and sewerage systems in all islands in the archipelago nation, to 2027, as stipulated by law.

The bill, the Second Amendment to Law No. 8/2020 (Water and Sewerage Act), was passed during the 23rd sitting of the second session of the 20th People's Majlis held on August 11.

The main purpose of the government's proposed amendment to Law No. 8/2020 is to ensure that appropriate water and sewerage systems are established and operational in every inhabited island of the Maldives by the end of 2027, in collaboration with relevant state authorities.

The bill includes provisions for providing technical advice and guidance to councils regarding water and sewerage services, as well as national-level efforts to enhance council capabilities. In addition to this, it outlines licensing requirements for technical professionals in the water and sewerage sector and establishes criteria for water testing services in laboratories set up in the Maldives.

Further, the bill specifies penalties for those who misuse water and sewerage systems.

The bill also highlights that regulations and guidelines under the law must be formulated and published within three months of the amendment coming into effect.

With the president's ratification and publication in the government gazette on Monday, the amendment has come into effect.

Although the bill was passed by the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)-majority parliament and ratified by President Muizzu, concerns about the slow progress of projects in several regions of the country are shared even by some lawmakers representing the current government.

The previous deadline for completing water and sewerage systems was 2026. The former government had awarded contracts for 39 islands lacking water and sewerage systems on 29 December 2021. However, several of these projects remain unfinished.