Minister: Tuna case distribution to begin on Saturday; no need to queue

Local Governance Minister Adam Shareef Umar states that distribution of tuna cases, gifted by the government as a Ramadan gift, will commence on Saturday night.

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, Minister Adam Sharef said a total of 48-can tuna cases will be distributed to a total of 118,773 households this year: 61,755 from Male’ area and 56,918 from atolls.

The Minister noted that distribution of tuna cases will begin at 20:30pm on Saturday night. He detailed that the distribution of tuna cases will proceed from 20:30pm to 23:30pm every night except Fridays. The government is targeting to complete the distribution by March 11^th, he added.

According to the Minister, there will be 15 distribution centers in Male’ area: eight in Male’, six in Hulhumale’ and one in Vilimale’.

They are:

• MIFCO centre
• Social Centre
• MTCC Sawmill
• Henveiru Sawmill
• Four entrances at Galolhu football stadium
• Umar Zahir building
• Ground floor of Polco tower
• Mohamed Gasim Preschool
• Hiyaa Tower 10
• Vinares Flat
• Vilimale’ WAMCO site

Minister Shareef further said an online portal has been introduced to issue tokens in order to ease the distribution process. While token issuance commenced at 12:00pm this afternoon, complaints regarding the portal can be raised by contacting 7741446.

“No one will have to queue when this work proceeds in Male’ area. You can take a toke via roadhahadhiya.mv. No one will face difficulties when they come [to collect tuna cases] like this [after taking a token],” he said

The Minister affirmed that all households will receive tuna cases.

State fisheries company, MIFCO, revealed on Tuesday that 115,078 tuna cases have been manufactured as of present for distribution as Ramadan gifts, meaning 3,899 tuna cases are pending.

The company added that the pending tuna cases are expected to be completed before today.

A 48-can tuna case is sold by MIFCO for MVR 760 in the market. As such, MVR 89.6 million will be incurred to distribute 118,000 tuna cases.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced his administration’s decision to gift tuna cases to all Maldivian households every Ramadan during a ceremony held in November 2024 to mark his administration’s first anniversary.

In line with this promise, a total of 111,231 tuna cases were distributed last year. Priced at MVR 730 back then, the total of all tuna cases distributed came up to MVR 81,198,630.