MP Ziyad Raises Concerns Over WAMCO Plan to Send Thilafushi Fire Waste to Kunburudhoo

MP Hussain Ziyad of the Vaikaradhoo constituency has submitted an emergency motion to Parliament, raising concerns over Waste Management Corporation Limited’s (WAMCO) decision to transport debris from the 19 July fire at Thilafushi to Haa Dhaalu Atoll Kunburudhoo.

Ziyad submitted the motion under Article 192(a) of the Parliament’s regulations, describing the decision as a potential threat to residents, the environment and marine life around Kunburudhoo.

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In the motion, Ziyad said the waste is being taken to Kunburudhoo’s waste management centre, which is still under development and where waste management work has yet to begin.

He said the facility does not have the infrastructure required to safely receive the burnt debris, including a concrete surface designed to contain waste and manage leachate.

Leachate is liquid produced when water passes through waste and carries dissolved or suspended substances. If the burnt debris is placed directly on the ground, Ziyad warned that there would be no adequate system to manage the resulting leachate, potentially allowing contaminants to enter the soil and groundwater.

Although Kunburudhoo was designated as a transfer site, Ziyad said the island was now being used to store debris from the Thilafushi fire.

The MP also highlighted the potential impact on Indian black turtles, a protected species which inhabit areas of Kunburudhoo. He warned that contamination from the transferred debris could affect their habitat, as well as the island’s soil and natural water resources.

Ziyad raised further concerns over the composition of the burnt waste, noting that plastics and industrial materials can release hazardous substances when burnt. He said substances such as dioxins, furans and benzene can pose health risks, while gases including carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide can cause symptoms such as headaches, breathing difficulties and nausea.

He also warned that heavy metals such as lead and mercury from electronic waste could contaminate the surrounding environment and affect food sources.

Ziyad said Kunburudhoo lacks the infrastructure and capacity required to safely manage waste of this nature and called the decision to transfer the Thilafushi fire debris to the island hazardous to both residents and the environment.

Ziyad Removed From Chamber After Opposing Waste Transfer

During today’s sitting, Ziyad said his emergency motion highlighted that Kunburudhoo currently lacks a waste disposal mechanism and even a concrete floor capable of safely receiving the burnt debris.

He also raised concern that PNC MPs representing Haa Dhaalu Atoll voted against accepting the motion. Ziyad urged the government not to transport the burnt waste to Kunburudhoo and said he would take all possible steps to prevent it.

Following the rejection of the motion, Ziyad continued to oppose the proposed transfer of waste and raised his voice near the presidential desk. Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem repeatedly instructed him to maintain order and observe parliamentary rules before naming Ziyad and removing him from the chamber floor.

Kulhudhuffushi Mayor Mohamed Athif has also criticised WAMCO’s decision, describing the proposed transportation of burnt waste from Thilafushi to Kunburudhoo as unacceptable.

Athif said the Maldives has several reclaimed areas near Malé that were developed using public funds and questioned the suitability of using a naturally inhabited island in the middle of Haa Dhaalu Atoll for waste disposal.