The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has stated that the government-established ice plant in R. Maduvvari will be brought into operation this month.
The Maduvvari ice plant is currently being operated by the Maduvvari Council.
MIFCO said that the final preparations are underway to bring the ice plant under the company and commence operations. In this regard, the draft agreement for the council to lease the facility to MIFCO for operation has been exchanged, and it is currently in the finalization stage, according to MIFCO.
"MIFCO has sent the draft agreement to the council, including the changes and clauses we require. We expect to receive it back with the council's desired changes around Sunday. By the time the agreement is finalized and signed, the ice plant is ready to start operations," a MIFCO official said.
MIFCO has now also announced to hire 2 employees required for the ice plant. The company stated that priority will be given to residents of the island when hiring. MIFCO said that once the employees are hired and the agreement with the council is signed, the ice plant will be brought into operation this month.
While the government is working to arrange easy access to ice for fishermen, the Maduvvari Council said the decision to have MIFCO operate the Maduvvari ice plant was made at the request of the fishermen. Although the council has spent a significant amount on the ice plant, they are letting it go due to the extreme rise in fuel prices, which made it difficult to run operations. The facility is being handed over to MIFCO on the condition of paying land rent.
The ice plant was previously selling a ton of ice at a rate of 1,250 Rufiyaa. With MIFCO bringing it into operation, fishermen expect the Maduvvari ice plant to sell ice at the same price as other MIFCO facilities. Currently, MIFCO facilities sell a ton of ice for 750 Rufiyaa.
The Maduvvari ice plant is a facility that produces 25 tons of ice and can store 50 tons of ice. It was opened on Fishermen's Day, December 10, 2021. The previous government handed over all opportunities to operate, maintain, and generate profit from the ice plant to the Maduvvari Council. And it is a council property.
In addition to Maduvvari, there are also ice plants in Alifushi and Dhuvaafaru in R Atoll.
