Environment Ministry says hazardous chemical storage and management facilities will be completed within 2026

The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy said on Tuesday that the hazardous chemical storage facilities being developed in the Maldives will be completed within this year.

At a press conference held at the President’s Office on Tuesday, the Ministry said chemical waste poses serious risks to both the environment and public health, and that extensive work is underway to strengthen chemical management. A chemical storage warehouse has already been established in Addu, and the Ministry said operationalisation of the facility will be carried out this year.

The Ministry said the facility is designed to store chemicals that require export.

In addition, a chemical management facility is being developed in R. Vandhoo. The Ministry said 30 percent of the work has been completed and the target is to finish the project before the end of the year.

The Ministry also said a series of training programmes will be conducted for frontline WAMCO staff and regulatory authorities before the facilities are commissioned. Work is also underway to update the Makudi portal used for chemical importation into the Maldives.