Loan agreement signed for water, sewerage, waste management projects

The government has signed an agreement with OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), for the biggest project yet in the Maldives aimed at establishing water supply, sewerage, and waste management systems.

The agreement for the $50 million loan was signed by Minister of Finance Abdulla Jihad, and Director General of OFID Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish.

The loan carries an interest 4.6 percent, has a grace period of four years and a repayment period of 18 years.

Under this project, sewerage systems will be established in Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, Feydhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, and Maradhoo in Addu City; and water systems will be established in Haa Alifu Hoarafushi, Haa Dhaalu Hanimaadhoo, Shaviyani Milandhoo, Raa Ungoofaaru, Baa Eydhafushi, Lhaviyani Naifaru, Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo, Thaa Vilufushi, Thaa Guraidhoo, and Gaafu Alifu Vilingili.

Also, to solve the problem of water shortage during the dry season, reverse osmosis (RO) plants will be established in Laamu Gan, Haa Dhaalu Nolhivaram, Noon Holhudhoo, Raa Meedhoo, Haa Dhaalu Vaikaradhoo, Raa Inguraidhoo, Haa Dhaalu Makunudhoo, Haa Dhaalu Kumundhoo, Kaafu Gaafaru, Haa Dhaalu Nellaidhoo, Raa Maakurathu, Baa Kendhoo, Kaafu Dhiffushi, and Noonu Maafaru.

The project will also see the establishment of waste management systems in all islands in Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani atolls.