City Council to clean public spaces in Male’ starting December 26

Male’ City Council has decided to assume the responsibility of cleaning public spaces in Male’ City upon the expiration of the contract made with Waste Management Corporation Ltd (WAMCO) for the purpose on December 26.

Speaking regarding the issue to Sun, Male’ City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that the council will be cleaning and collecting waste from the roads, parks, lagoon and public spaces only. He stressed that the council will not be collecting waste from households.

“This is as the Decentralization Act bestows the responsibility of cleaning public spaces to the council,” he added.

Mayor Muizzu said that the waste collected by the council staff would be handed over to WAMCO – which will be transported on WAMCO’s barge, by the company.

“Will pay the fee to WAMCO, and hand over the waste,” he had said.

Mayor Muizzu further stated that the council assuming the responsibility of cleaning public spaces in Male’ City will not threaten the jobs of cleaners hired by WAMCO. He added that should any of WAMCO’s cleaning staff lose their job, they will be granted the opportunity to join the council.

“No one will lose their job, and become stranded on the roads. They will have the opportunity to join us,” he stressed.

Male’ City Council has also made the decision to establish a special department under the name ‘Waste Management Section’ for the cleaning operations of public spaces in Male’ City.

WAMCO has expressed discontent over the council’s refusal to renew the agreement.

The council decided against renewing the agreement with WAMCO, citing they can do it at a rate cheaper than paying MVR 2.5 million to WAMCO annually. In response, WAMCO said that the council took the decision without consideration of the expenses that will be incurred for such an operation.

WAMCO also said that Male’ City Council plans to employ only 100 staff to clean both Male’ and Vilimale’ – claiming the number to be insufficient for the operation.

Moreover, WAMCO emphasized that all their employees were locals – whilst most of the city council’s employees were expatriates.

WAMCO was tasked with sweeping and cleaning the roads of Male’ City in December of 2019.