Under the government's initiative to establish ice plants in 11 islands across the Maldives, the Ministry of Fisheries has contracted the development of ice plants in three islands.
The project to build ice plants in Dhaalu Meedhoo, Dhaalu Bandidhoo, and Shaviyani Funadhoo was awarded to the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). The Ministry of Fisheries signed the agreement with MIFCO yesterday. Director General Eenas Naseer signed on behalf of the Ministry, while Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ilyas Haneef signed on behalf of MIFCO.
The three projects were awarded to MIFCO for MVR 24 million. This equates to MVR 8 million per ice plant. Both parties agreed to complete the construction of these plants within 8 months.
The Ministry of Fisheries stated that under this project, a plant capable of producing 30 tonnes of ice per day will be developed in each island. Additionally, a 50-tonne ice storage facility will be built alongside the ice plant in each island, according to the Ministry.
"Upon completion of these three ice plants, arrangements will be made to produce a total of 80 tonnes of ice per day," the Ministry stated.
The contracting of MIFCO to develop ice plants in Sh. Funadhoo, Dh. Meedhoo, and Dh. Bandidhoo is part of the government's ongoing efforts to establish ice plants in 11 islands to resolve the difficulties fishermen face in obtaining ice and to ensure that fishermen from all regions of the Maldives can access ice without any hardship. In addition to these three islands, ice plants will also be established at the government's expense in Kulhudhuffushi City, Meemu Veyvah, and Lhaviyani Naifaru.
The remaining 5 ice plants included in this project are being established with the assistance of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) of Saudi Arabia. These are the ice plants being developed in Haa Alifu Ihavandhoo, Haa Alifu Dhidhdhoo, Shaviyani Komandoo, Alifu Alifu Rasdhoo, and Gaafu Dhaalu Rathafandhoo.
The inability to obtain sufficient ice, the unavailability of ice from some existing plants, and the need to travel to distant islands burning fuel to get ice are major challenges currently faced by fishermen. It is expected that the new ice plants will bring significant relief to the hardships fishermen currently endure in obtaining ice.
