Kandu’oiy Giri in Kaafu atoll has been handed over to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

This was revealed by Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam, while speaking at a press conference hosted by the ministry on Wednesday.

Kandu’oiy Giri was earlier utilized by the state fisheries company, MIFCO.

Speaking at the presser, Shiyam announced that efforts were underway to improve the efficiency of MIFCO, by streamlining its operations.

Highlighting that MIFCO is the main pillar of the fishing industry, the minister noted that a major change will be brought to the company’s management.

The minister stated that one of the facilities run by MIFCO has been allocated to MNDF.

Further noting that the factory on the island will be relocated to Hulhumalé, Shiyam stressed that the island’s lagoon did not serve as a solution to fishermen.

However, he did not disclose a specific date the relocation will take place.

Shiyam added that relocating the factory to Hulhumalé would provide a lot of space from the Hulhumalé lagoon, and that this would pave the path for significant ease fishermen are seeking, and for the issues they are facing.

In May 2022, the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) was awarded the project to upgrade the Kandu’oiy Giri harbor to address the lack of a suitable harbor for fishing vessels from the Malé area.

MVR 77 million was spent for this initiative and saw the construction of a 125-meter quay wall and a 265-meter breakwater.

According to sources, the project was funded by the Saudi Fund for Development as part of the Development of Fisheries Sector project and a large portion of the work has been completed.