Minister of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has revealed water supply and sewerage projects are being conducted in all but 22 islands. He made the statement while answering questions at the Parliament of the Maldives regarding the delay in the water supply and sewerage projects in Feydhoo, Bilehfahi, Goidhoo, and Noomara in Shaviyani Atoll.
Responding to questions, Minister Aslam said contractors have been chosen for the projects in Feydhoo and Bilehfahi, and that the work in the islands is ongoing at various stages. As such, the minister said workers are currently doing fieldwork in Goidhoo and the contractor for the project in Feydhoo is currently in the process of designating the land to establish buildings and pump stations.
Furthermore, Minister Aslam said the water supply and sewerage projects in Bilehfahi and Noomaraa have not yet begun but the projects have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for tendering. He detailed that these two projects were previously rejected due to issues in the bids, but said that the projects will begin soon even without a bidding process, by awarding them to government-affiliated companies.
Minister Aslam said the government prioritises completing water supply and sewerage projects, and will soon begin work in the rest of the islands. The government has pledged to establish water supply and sewerage systems in all inhabited islands before the end of the term, said the minister noting the government has allocated USD 78 million from this year's Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) budget for water supply and sewerage projects.