The Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works has decided to introduce a token system for distributing canned fish cases that the government is gifting to every household in the Maldives as a Ramadan fasting gift this year. When the distribution of canned fish began on Thursday night in Male’, Vilimale’ and Hulhumale’, many people queued up in various areas. Many people also complained about having to stay in queues for long periods. The Ministry has now begun work to address these complaints.
The Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works said that arrangements will be made to obtain tokens through an online system so that people do not have to spend a long time in queues. They also said that arrangements will be made to obtain tokens for a specific night from a specific center through this system. The Ministry said that details of the designated system will be announced. When coming to collect the canned fish case, one must bring their ID card and an electricity bill for one month. A maximum of three canned fish cases will be issued to one person. The distribution of canned fish cases will continue from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM every night. It has been arranged to issue between 50 to 200 token numbers daily at the centers designated for distributing canned fish cases.
Canned fish distribution locations:
1- MIFCO Main Building – 200 tokens
2- MTCC Sawmill – 200 tokens
3- Henveiru Stadium – 100 tokens
4- Galolhu Stadium (Setup 1) 50 tokens
5- Galolhu Stadium (Setup 2) 50 tokens
6- Galolhu Stadium (Setup 3) 50 tokens
7- Galolhu Stadium (Setup 4) 50 tokens
8- Social Center – 100 tokens
9- Vilimale’, WAMCO site – 100 tokens
10- Hulhumale’, Umar Zahir Building – 100 tokens
11- Hulhumale’, POLCO Tower (C Block) 100 tokens
12- Hulhumale’ Hiyaa Tower 10 – 100 tokens
13- Hulhumale’, Kaamil Didi Pre-school – 100 tokens
The Ministry said that this work will continue until canned fish cases are distributed to all households. They also said that arrangements will be made for people who may have difficulties using devices like phones to proceed without any trouble. As such, if a person has such a difficulty, they can go to a center and seek assistance from the staff there, the Ministry said. “While being grateful for the help and cooperation received from all citizens in such matters, we take this opportunity to note that the government’s aim is to provide the Ramadan gift in the easiest and most convenient way possible,” the Ministry said.
While distributing canned fish cases to homes this Ramadan, last year’s Ramadan, the government gave 1.6 million kilograms of staple foods free to 82,000 households. Each house was given 10 kg of flour and 10 kg of rice. Also, a discount of 142 million rufiyaa was given on electricity and water bills.
