The Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works has initiated discussions to give island councils adequate time to upgrade streetlights and bring them up to safety standards. This comes as the Fenaka Corporation has decided to supply electricity only to sub-DB lights that meet safety standards as a precautionary measure.
The ministry commenced discussions with the Fenaka Corporation and the Utility Regulatory Authority. Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Work Adam Sharif shareef highlights the importance of upgrading the streetlights to the people. However, he raised concerns that the time frame given to the councils to do so is not adequate.
In a post shared on social media the minister stated that it would be difficult for councils to bring streetlights to the required safety standards before the 21st of this month, as it requires more expenditure than the budget allocated to the councils. As such, the minister disclosed that it will cost about USD 5.5 million to upgrade the streetlights of 144 islands.
Fenaka has inspected streetlights across all the islands to ensure safety, following a tragic incident that took the life of an individual after being electrocuted by an electrical leak from a streetlight in Ungoofaaru, Raa Atoll. The inspection revealed that many streetlights did not meet the required safety standards.
Fenaka informed the councils that electricity would only be supplied to streetlights that comply with the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) standards. The announcement was made on June 9, with an initial deadline set for June 27 for the councils to replace their streetlights to meet URA standards. However, the deadline has been extended until August 21.