"Local Government: Last hope for sustainable solid waste management in Maldives" Blue peace*
*Bluepeace is the oldest environmental Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the Maldives.
Local environmental
NGO Bluepeace has said that environmental issues, in particular waste
management, cannot be tackled without empowering local authorities and
the provision of technical expertise and funding.
“It cannot be achieved by a ministry located in Malé. There should be
well trained technical personnel at the councils such as environment
officers and fisheries officers,” said Rilwan.
Stating that the biggest obstacle to waste management at the moment
is a lack of commitment from relevant authorities, Rilwan said that some
projects – such as a World Bank scheme in the north – are slowly
progressing. read more
"It
is worth noting that Councils have less authority in 2013 over
municipal services than they did prior to the establishment of
provinces and the corporations in 2008. Besides a few exceptions,
island communities now receive municipal services through Fenaka
Corporation and Island Councils play no role in this. This is in direct
conflict with the Decentralization Act. The only municipal service
that they continue to exercise control over is refuse collection and
waste management and there is much confusion over how they should carry
this role out" read more
Water, Water, Water
55 islands in Maldives hit with water shortage
Director of the Centre Hisaan Hassan said today that many islands have experienced shortage of water since the Tsunami hit the nation in 2004. However, so far 55 islands have reported water shortages to the centre so far this year. Hisaan further revealed that efforts are underway to provide drinking water for the crisis hit islands following reports. To that end the whole of Addu Atoll and some islands of Raa Atoll and Baa Atoll have been supplied with clean drinking water.
“Drinking water of some islands has been contaminated due to the Tsunami. We have continually provided water to such islands. But due to the prolonged drought many islands have been hit with the water crisis,” Hisaan added. read more
Nearly 60 islands hit with water crisis
All islands in the Maldives do not have a functioning water supply and distribution network that can ensure sufficient supply of safe freshwater during dry periods, except Male’, Vilingili and Hulhumale’, which are home to over a third of the total population.
While surface fresh water is generally lacking throughout the
country, key problems pertaining to freshwater security relate to the of
increasingly variable rainfall patterns induced by climatic change and
the management of saline groundwater.
Until recently, groundwater was commonly used for all purposes
including drinking and cooking, however, following the 2004 tsunami the
underground water wells in most islands were contaminated by sewage,
waste and salt water – thus increasing the use of rainwater. read more
Ihavandhoo islanders to pray for rain after twelve month drought
Haa Alif atoll Ihavandhoo Island Council has called for a communal prayer on Friday morning to pray for relief from drought. Council President Mohamed Asif told Minivan News that islanders have
run out of drinking water and are now relying on store bought
desalinated water. “It hasn’t rained on Ihavandhoo for about a year. Even during the
recent rains, Ihavandhoo did not receive the blessing of rain,” he said. The ‘Isthisqa’ prayer is to be held at the island’s football field. According to Asif, the island’s groundwater is no longer potable due to the intrusion of saltwater and runoff from sewage. read more
Waste
Maldives 'Rubbish Island' is 'overwhelmed' by garbage
Thilafushi, an artificial island 7km (four miles) from the capital, is nicknamed Rubbish Island. The accumulation of garbage there has become so acute that it has begun spilling into its lagoon. An emergency clearing operation has begun to remove "hills of rubbish" mostly collected from luxury hotels. Rubbish Island is a far cry from the Maldives' famous turquoise waters and white sands. Those who have been there describe vast piles of rubbish and perpetual smog and smoke. read more
Local Government: Last hope for sustainable sold waste management in Maldives
Organised
and managed waste disposal programmes or systems are not common place
in the Maldives. Mostly in the local islands, the island administration
(Island Office) does not provide any municipal service. The island
administration or local authorities currently are not mandated to
provide services such as waste collection or disposal. Instead
individuals or households dispose waste as they see fit, creating
environmental hazards read more
Maldives’ waste management hampered by local politics, lack of funding
Establishing waste management systems on the islands has been an ongoing struggle.
Most islands have waste areas that vary in quality and have no means of processing or removing trash from the garbage areas.
Nizam explained that after the 2004 tsunami the United Nations (UN),
Canadian and Australian Red Cross built infrastructure and provided
equipment for some islands, however no island level program plans or
systems were put in place. read more
Consultancy on Social Assessment for Solid Waste Management Component (Final Report) – Apr 2010
It is imperative to enhance the
capacity of the island offices to prioritize, plan, implement and monitor waste
management program effecting the lives and environment of the island
populations. The capacity of the present island level institutions needs to be strengthened
to function as a sustainable organization and trained them in project planning,
management, participatory monitoring and evaluation and financial management read more
It is imperative to enhance the capacity of the island offices to prioritize, plan, implement and monitor waste management program effecting the lives and environment of the island populations. The capacity of the present island level institutions needs to be strengthened to function as a sustainable organization and trained them in project planning, management, participatory monitoring and evaluation and financial management read more
sewage
Gan Council fears “health disaster” after severe sewage spill
Laamu Atoll Gan Island Council has raised fears of an imminent “health disaster” following a severe sewage spill on the island.
The spill was caused by damage to pumps and septic tanks in the
sewage treatment facility. Recent rains have spread the sewage
throughout the island, Gan Council President Ahmed Salah told Minivan
News today.
The council is trying to contain the sewage, but have received no help from any government office, Salah said. read more