Fuel made available for fishermen at STO rate in four new locations

Fuel has been made available for fishermen at STO rate in four new locations as pledged by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The President announced that fuel will be made available for fishermen at STO rate in four new locations while speaking to the residents of K. Gaafaru during a visit to the island on Monday. He identified the four new locations as K. Himmafushi, Addu City’s Hulhumeedhoo, Kooddoo and Felivaru.

A member of Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) told Sun on Tuesday night that two vessels that traveled to Himaafushi to refuel were informed of the lack of availability of fuel by Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM)’s outlet. 

Thus, they expressed concern over this and called on the government to resolve the difficulties faced by fishermen as pledged.

Commenting on the matter on Wednesday, State Trading Organization (STO) said fuel will be now available for purchase at the locations announced by the President. The company reiterated that it was undertaking efforts to make fuel available for fishermen at least on one island in every atoll at a cheaper rate.

In this trajectory, STO said it was working on establishing fuel storages at every atoll by the end of next year, to ensure supply of fuel for fishermen at STO rate.

The company is scheduled to develop fuel storage at the following islands:

• HDh. Hanimaadhoo
• HA. Ihavandhoo
• Sh. Milandhoo
• N. Mandhoo
• Lh. Felivaru
• R. Dhuvaafaru
• AA. Mathiveri
• V. Felidhoo
• M. Mulah
• F. Nilandhoo
• Dh. Kudahuvadhoo
• Th. Hirilandhoo
• L. Gan
• GA. Kooddoo
• GDh. Faresmaathoda
• S. Hulhumeedhoo
• Gn. Fuvahmulah

Prior to this, fuel was only available at STO rate for fishermen from the FSM fuel shed in Hulhumale’. The facility has been selling fuel for fishermen at this rate since June of this year.