Government Sets October 2027 Deadline for Kihaadhoo and Kudarikilu Water Projects

The government aims to complete the installation of essential water and sewerage systems on Baa Atoll Kihaadhoo and Kudarikilu by October 2027, Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib announced during a parliamentary session on August 3. The projects, valued at USD 2.6 million, were originally awarded to Fenaka Corporation Limited on December 29, 2021, under the previous administration. However, progress stalled after the company reached only 16 percent completion. Minister Muththalib revealed that Fenaka had subcontracted the entire project at a cost exceeding the original contract value—a move he noted violates Public Finance Regulations, which prohibit the wholesale subcontracting of state projects. Responding to inquiries from Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir regarding the timeline for delivery, the Minister explained that the agreement with Fenaka was terminated due to the lack of progress. The contracts have since been reassigned to the Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC). Physical work has now resumed on both islands, with approximately 10 percent of the current phase completed. Current activities focus on the construction of storage tanks and the installation of reverse-osmosis plants to ensure a sustainable freshwater supply for the residents. Minister Muththalib further criticized the previous awarding process, stating that Fenaka had been granted water and sewerage projects across 20 islands despite lacking the necessary technical expertise. He noted that the subcontractors hired by Fenaka were similarly inexperienced, leading to the systemic failures observed in these projects. The Minister assured the Majlis (the Maldivian Parliament) and the public that the current administration remains committed to providing reliable water and sewerage services to all inhabited islands throughout its term, with the Baa Atoll works serving as a priority for completion by next October.