The Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO) has officially added Dhidhdhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll to its ever expanding network of waste management services throughout the country.
The service in Dhidhdhoo was officially launched by the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim during a ceremony in the island on Saturday.
Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Thoriq said the WAMCO’s venture into the island will benefit the environment, as well as the health and wellbeing of its residents as well as local businesses.
The launch of WAMCO’s waste management service in Dhidhdhoo follows President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to fasttrack the introduction of the service during a recent visit to the island as part of a tour of several islands in the Atoll.
Minister Thoriq pointed out that sustainable and environmentally friendly waste management practices begin with children.
"One of the foremost segments in any society who really encourages safe waste management is children. School children especially. If they are given the proper information needed, the waste from households will be properly divided. It will be easier to manage it then," he said.
Speaking during the ceremony, WAMCO’s Managing Director Mujthaba Jaleel said that the company will continue to expand its services to all islands in the country adding that its staff will always be ready to do whatever is necessary for company growth.
"We have a vision for waste management in all the islands in the country. An island council collects waste from households and takes it to the island beach. But when the area is filled, there is nothing much else the council can do. The only way to offload waste is to team up with WAMCO and transfer it to one of our waste management sites. So we cater to all such requests by the island councils,” Jaleel explained.
The government has also launched a national waste management plan to ensure environmentally friendly practices at every stage, from the source of waste production to the disposal of waste at regional waste management centres. The plan aims to find a permanent solution to the waste management challenges faced by the country.