Male’ City Council Raises Waste Collection Concerns After Thilafushi Fire
Waste accumulation prompts Male’ Council concerns over WAMCO delays | Photo: WAMCO
The Male’ City Council has raised concerns with Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) over the growing accumulation of rubbish across the capital following delays in waste collection caused by the recent fire at the company’s waste management site in Thilafushi.
A fire broke out at WAMCO’s Thilafushi facility on Sunday night and was brought under control the following morning. In a statement issued last Wednesday, WAMCO said parts of the site had been closed as a result of the fire, forcing the company to reduce the volume of waste accepted from its transfer facilities in Male’, Villimalé and Hulhumalé.
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The council said on Tuesday that rubbish has since accumulated on streets and in public spaces across the city. It stated that the capital is facing significant challenges due to the lack of a permanent disposal system for waste collected from roads, parks and other public areas.
According to the council, the temporary waste storage area it uses has reached full capacity, while waste has not been transported to Thilafushi for around ten days.
Eleven city councillors visited WAMCO and met the company’s Human Resources General Manager, Mohamed Shan, to discuss the issue. The council said Shan had assured them he would consult WAMCO’s managing director to identify an immediate solution. He also indicated that the landfill site is expected to resume operations before the end of the week, with a permanent solution to follow.
The council warned that prolonged delays in waste removal could develop into a serious public health concern, particularly because of the country’s humid conditions and ongoing monsoon rains. Councillors have decided to return to WAMCO if the issue is not resolved within the timeframe indicated.
More than 200,000 people live in the Greater Male’ area, with large volumes of waste transported to Thilafushi every day. According to 2022 statistics, around 1,200 tonnes of waste are transferred from the Male’ region to Thilafushi daily.
The Male’ City Council is responsible for maintaining cleanliness across the capital and has previously raised concerns about illegal dumping while continuing to seek public assistance in identifying those responsible.
