MDA calls to remove garbage dumping site from Male

Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) has called to remove the large garbage dumping site in Male’, saying that continuously clearing the site is not the solution to the problem.

In an interview to Sun, MDA Spokesperson and Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir said last night that it is unacceptable that a large heap of a rubble, the size of a mountain, stands in the small capital of Male’, and that the problem is not an issue that arose recently, and that the unbearable smell had always lingered in the area. He said that the problem poses a number health hazards and that MDA finds it unacceptable that the site is allowed to stand in such an open manner, especially in a place that is as small and densely populated as Male’.

“This huge garbage dumping site in Male’, it should not be kept like that, in a place where everybody breathes the air. The place holds all kinds of garbage. The atmosphere around area is always polluted. Who knows what kinds of germs it will cause people to inhale? Therefore, MDA calls on all relevant authorities to remove this large garbage dumping site from Male’,” said Amir.

Amir said that he believes that garbage will be produced from a large population of more than 100,000 people that currently reside in Male’, but said that the garbage must be removed from the city daily and that the parties that are involved with the removal of the garbage must be facilitated with all possible resources to make it possible. He said that Male’ should ideally hold a small garbage dumping site and that such places too should be well concealed, in manner that its smell and fumes do not pose a difficulties for the people.

“We at MDA do not believe that the garbage produced in Male’ should accumulate. It must be removed from one day to the next. The resources to remove the garbage on a day to day basis must be established. It is not something that is impossible. The people should not have to suffer the smell and health hazard of a large mountain-sized garbage heap that is visible over the Male’ skyline,” said MDA Deputy Leader Amir.

Referring to the recent incident when a teacher and a number of students from Imaddudin School had to be provided emergency medical aid, Amir said that he is deeply saddened that the matter had to deteriorate to such an extent that teachers and school children had to suffer its consequences, and that the root of the problem is that it has not been addressed in a timely manner. He said that the permanent solution to the problem is to remove the garbage dumping site from Male’ and said that if this is not done soon, the problems that arise in the future would possibly be more tragic.