The B. Thulhaadhoo Council has requested the Fisheries Ministry to quickly resolve the issues with the island's ice plant.
The council made this request during a meeting held yesterday with the Fisheries Ministry.
B. Thulhaadhoo Council requests swift resolution to the island's ice plant issue!
Representing the ministry, State Ministers Mohamed Muththalib and Aminath Hussain Shareef met with the council members.
Regarding this meeting, the Fisheries Ministry stated that the council requested a swift resolution to the issue of the ice plant located in Thulhaadhoo. In addition, the ministry mentioned that the council shared several concerns related to the fisheries sector.
The Thulhaadhoo ice plant was established by MIFCO under the Fisheries Ministry's loan program. Capable of producing 25 tonnes of ice per day, this plant was established and services commenced by MIFCO in 2019 during President Yameen's administration. During the MDP administration, the operation of this ice plant was handed over to Fenaka Corporation. While the current administration has once again transferred this ice plant back under MIFCO, its operations are currently halted.
Regarding this issue, MIFCO stated that the ice plants transferred to MIFCO from Fenaka's care, including the Thulhaadhoo ice plant, can only be brought back into operation after major repairs and maintenance. However, as MIFCO has not received the necessary funds for this, they are facing challenges in carrying out the work. MIFCO mentioned that some equipment needed for repairs to bring the ice plants back into operation has been taken to the sites, and some of the required equipment is not available in the Maldives.
"The ice plants are currently too damaged to be brought into operation. Major repairs need to be done. MIFCO does not have a fund to do this. Payments from the Fisheries Ministry are also pending," MIFCO said.
MIFCO is also working on recruiting the necessary staff for some of the ice plants handed over to them. Furthermore, MIFCO has now completed the interview process to transfer the employees who worked at the ice plants as Fenaka employees when they were operated under Fenaka's care.
