Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has met with the Managing Director of Fuel Supply Maldives (FSM), Aashan, to discuss potential solutions to the challenges faced in supplying fuel to fishermen.
During the meeting held today at the Fisheries Ministry, discussions focused on FSM's planned initiatives to develop their facilities in Kooddoo and Felivaru, aiming to resolve the difficulties in fuel provision for fishermen, according to the Fisheries Ministry.
Senior officials from both the Fisheries Ministry and FSM participated in the meeting.
The government has already arranged for fishermen to purchase diesel at STO rates from FSM sites in Hulhumale', K. Himmafushi, GA. Kooddoo, Lh. Felivaru, and Addu City Hulhumeedhoo. The government's target is to establish arrangements for fishermen to receive fuel at STO rates in at least one island in every atoll of the Maldives before the end of this year.
Designating fuel as a basic service and ensuring easy access to petrol and diesel at STO rates for the general public in at least one island per atoll is a presidential pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. As part of the government's efforts to implement this pledge, the State Trading Organization (STO) launched a special project to establish "Fuel Storage" on November 7 last year.
Islands designated for fuel services under the project:
- HA. Ihavandhoo
- HDh. Hanimaadhoo
- Sh. Milandhoo
- N. Manadhoo
- R. Dhuvaafaru
- B. Thulhaadhoo
- Lh. Felivaru
- AA. Mathiveri
- ADh. Maamigili/Mahibadhoo
- V. Felidhoo
- M. Mulah
- F. Nilandhoo
- Dh. Kudahuvadhoo
- Dh. Meedhoo
- Th. Hirilandhoo
- L. Gan
- GA. Kooddoo
- GDh. Faresmaathodaa
- Fuvahmulah City
- Addu City, Hulhudhoo
STO has previously stated that, depending on the development of the fishing industry, the fuel supply system will be established in additional islands under this project. The project is currently planned to operate on a model where a mobile office is set up on each island, and fuel is supplied to the designated islands via containers. The service is planned to be provided as close to the harbor as possible, away from residential households, with the assistance of the Cities Ministry. STO informed that 40-foot containers are used for this service. Furthermore, STO is considering hiring locals on a contract basis for the civil works on the respective islands.
