A massive project to establish and upgrade waste and resource management centres across 75 islands officially launched on Saturday night, with contracts now awarded to three companies.

This represents the largest waste management initiative ever undertaken in the Maldives. At a special ceremony held last night at Dharubaaruge, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment awarded contracts to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Road Development Corporation (RDC), and Fenaka Corporation for the establishment and upgrading of waste management facilities.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had previously pledged in his Presidential Address that appropriate waste management systems would be implemented on all Maldivian islands before year's end.

To fulfil this commitment, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment has awarded these contracts through its Magey Saafu Raajje programme.

Last week, the Government also contracted the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) to establish similar centres on 34 additional islands.

With last night's agreement, contracts for establishing or upgrading waste management infrastructure have now been awarded for a total of 109 islands.

The Ministry stated that beyond these 109 islands, the remaining inhabited islands either already have acceptable infrastructure established in previous years or are currently undergoing improvements through foreign-aided projects or are in the procurement phase.

Officials confirmed that work is progressing as planned, with completion expected across all Maldivian islands by the fourth quarter of this year.

The Ministry also plans to provide necessary equipment for these centres and vessels for waste transportation to islands currently lacking such resources within the year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Thoriq Ibrahim noted that the lack of waste collection facilities and management solutions was among the most common concerns raised during the President's visits to outer islands.

He emphasised the importance of establishing these resources for both environmental protection purposes, as well as for supporting local tourism development.