The GA. Dhevvadhoo Ice Plant was established during President Yameen's administration by entrusting it to the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). Handed over to MIFCO on November 12, 2014, the 25-tonne ice plant was opened and began providing services on April 18, 2016. At that time, it was operated by MIFCO.
During the MDP administration, with changes to policies, the facility was handed over to Fenaka, and its operations continued smoothly. However, by the end of that administration, the ice plant was left unmaintained and operations had halted. Following complaints and concerns expressed by Dhevvadhoo fishermen and the council over the lack of services from the ice plant, the current administration has given assurances that the facility will be brought back into operation.
After Fenaka Corporation had not operated the facility for over a year, and following the company's decision to stop operating ice plants to reduce costs, the Fisheries Ministry handed the Dhevvadhoo Ice Plant back to MIFCO on October 8 last year. Consequently, MIFCO has initiated the process of transferring assets and recruiting staff to bring the facility into operation.
The Fisheries Ministry stated today that significant repairs are required to bring the ice plant back into operation, and the necessary budget for this has now been secured. The Ministry added that the process of finding a contractor and reaching an agreement is ongoing, and the repairs are expected to be completed within 30 days of signing the agreement.
Based on the current progress, the Ministry stated that the Dhevvadhoo Ice Plant will be brought into operation next month.
