Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib has stated the target set by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to establish water and sewerage in all inhabited islands by next year is achievable based on current progress.

The Minister made these remarks while responding to questions from Members of Parliament regarding delays and challenges in water and sewerage projects across the country.

According to the Minister, water and sewerage projects awarded to FENAKA Corporation under the previous administration were cancelled due to delays and procedural breaches, including unapproved designs, missing permits from the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA), and unauthorised subcontracting.

Responsibility for the projects has since been transferred to the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), which is now addressing the issues and working to secure the necessary URA permits. Mobilisation efforts are also underway to resume work on the ground.

The Minister also spoke about the longstanding absence of utility services in newly reclaimed land areas, an issue that has persisted since 2010. He said the Government has budgeted for an integrated project to establish water, sewerage, and electricity services in these areas, with plans to implement it through contractor or loan financing to reduce strain on public finances.

Pending documentation has left several completed projects inactive, according to the Minister, who noted that the URA is now working with the Ministries of Tourism and Environment to ease regulatory barriers and expedite service commencement.

Work on water and sewerage infrastructure continues in various parts of the country. In April this year, MWSC announced upgrades to water and sewerage systems in nine islands.