Gov’t to Inspect Chemical Storage Facilities in Greater Male’ Region

The Ministry of Defence has announced that 285 chemical storage facilities in the Greater Male’ Region will undergo inspection as part of “Operation Hiraas Faas”. 

ކެމިކަލް ރައްކާކުރުމުގައި ބަޔާންކުރާ ޤަވާޢިދުތަކަށް އާންމު ރައްޔިތުން ހޭލުންތެރިކުރުވުމަށް "އޮޕަރޭޝަން ހިރާސް ފާސް" ގެ ނަމުގައި އެމްއެންޑީއެފް ފަޔަރ އެންޑް ރެސްކިޔު ސަރވިސްއިން އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއް ފަށައިފި.https://t.co/pIYbGKR0tK pic.twitter.com/s8uvIEgMlI

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— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) October 1, 2024

The operation is set to take place from October 1 to 15. Deputy Minister of Defence, Fathimath Mizna Ali, told PSM News that the initiative aligns with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s efforts to strengthen the safety and security of Maldivian society. She raised concerns over illegal chemical trading occurring in authorised storage and sales areas. She also mentioned frequent reports of chemicals being sold in quantities exceeding legal limits.

Mizna highlighted the dangers of fires at sites storing hazardous chemicals, emphasising the potential risks to surrounding areas. She stressed the importance of ensuring compliance with national regulations on chemical storage and trading.

Lieutenant Colonel Faiz Rashad, speaking on behalf of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Fire and Rescue Services, added that the ministry is committed to safeguarding the public. He explained that Operation Hiraas Faas represents the first phase of these efforts. The operation’s primary objectives are to identify sites where chemicals are stored and traded illegally and to pinpoint buildings particularly vulnerable to fire hazards in the Greater Male’ Region. The ministry has identified 285 warehouses for inspection during the operation.

Faiz also noted that the operation aims to extend inspections across the country eventually. For now, the focus will remain on warehouses in Male’ City, Thilafushi, and Hulhumale’, with the majority located in Thilafushi. Inspections will take place daily between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM over the two-week period, with participation from the Fire and Rescue Services, Maldives Police Service (MPS), MNDF Male’ Area Command, and six other government agencies.

Operation Hiraas Faas will cover 10 zones in the Greater Male’ Region. The ministry intends to compile a database of the findings and share the information with relevant institutions upon completion. Legal action will be taken against individuals found engaging in illegal chemical trading.