Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef inaugurated the commencement of practical works for the land reclamation project for a fish processing factory and harbour development in GDh. Fiyoaree today.
In his remarks at the ceremony, the Vice President remarked that the project would enhance the lives of fishermen and the families of Fiyoaree, as well as the entire Atoll, ushering in a brighter future, economic self-sufficiency and regional development.
He also expressed his gratitude to the President for his vision and leadership in implementing the project in Fiyoaree. He noted that the region is highly proficient in pole-and-line fisheries and that the existing Kooddoo complex alone is insufficient to handle the current volume of catch, which led to the decision to establish a fish processing facility on the island.
The Vice President further stated that the residents of Fiyoaree place strong emphasis on development, with a long-standing history of progress and the promotion of a distinct local identity. He added that once the factory becomes operational, employment opportunities will be created for residents across the atoll. The facility, he said, will serve as a catalyst for further development of the fisheries sector by encouraging youth participation and facilitating the entry of new vessels into the industry.
Significant and essential revisions have been made to the original project plans at the commencement stage. As a result, cold storage capacity has been increased from 1,500 metric tonnes to 3,000 metric tonnes. Upon completion, the fish processing factory will have the capacity to can 100 tonnes of fish per day, while the fishmeal plant will be capable of producing 100 tonnes of fishmeal daily.
The Vice President was accompanied by the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam; the Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib; and the Member of Parliament for the Faresmaathodaa Constituency, Ashraf Rasheed.