Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has expressed concern over the accumulation of waste on the streets and public areas of Malé City, warning that poor sanitation could lead to the spread of diseases and create a serious public health risk.
The Mayor raised these concerns in a post on his official X account following disruptions to the waste management services provided by WAMCO, the agency responsible for waste management in Malé City.
Mayor Azim stated that for sensitive matters closely connected to daily life, such as waste disposal, there must be full preparedness to respond to possible incidents. He further noted that a "contingency plan" should be in place to manage such situations.
The disruption to waste disposal services in the Malé area was caused by a fire that broke out at the Thilafushi waste management site on the evening of July 19. Following the incident, waste collection services were affected, resulting in the accumulation of waste in several areas of Malé and a significant increase in public complaints.
To find an urgent solution to this issue, 11 councilors from the Malé City Council visited the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) on July 28 to discuss restoring normal operations.
The Mayor's remarks pointed out the importance of having a backup plan to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services.