Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has revealed water and sewerage projects have commenced in all but 30 islands of the Maldives.
Speaking at the ceremony held to sign the agreement for the development of water and sewerage systems in 34 islands, Minister Aslam said water and sewerage is a fundamental service that the government has pledged to provide to all inhabited islands across the Maldives without discrimination. The minister said the government has made significant strides in fulfilling this pledge, noting water and sewerage projects are currently ongoing in 110 islands. He noted water and sewerage projects have now commenced in all but 30 islands.
The minister further stated the total cost of water and sewerage projects commenced in the past two years amounts to over USD 300 million. He added the newly signed projects for 34 islands amount to over USD 100 million.
Minister Aslam stated people of several islands are facing severe difficulties due to the contamination of the island’s freshwater lens. He noted an effective solution has not been provided to these difficulties over the years.
The minister further noted the government is contracting water and sewerage projects to be completed in a maximum duration of 2 years and 2 months. He expressed confidence that the government will be able to fulfill the pledge of establishing water and sewerage systems in all islands by the end of the current term.