MIFCO hands over 13 ice plants to Fenaka
Fenaka being a provider of water and electricity, its resources can be utilised best to operate the plants.
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By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
State-owned fisheries company MIFCO on Thursday handed over the management of 13 ice plants to Fenaka Corporation.
The ice plants are located in:
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HA. Ihavandhoo
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N. Lhohi
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R. Alifushi
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B. Thulhaadhoo
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F. Nilandhoo
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Th. Hirilandhoo
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GA. Dhaandhoo
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GA. Dhevvadhoo
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GA. Gemanafushi
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GA. Kolamaafushi
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GDh. Fiyoari
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GDh. Fares-Maathoda
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S. Hithadhoo
Out of the 13 ice plants handed over to Fenaka, three ice plants have suspended operations.
MIFCO said:
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Gemanafushi ice plant issue to be resolved by Thursday
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Dhaandhoo ice plant issue to be resolved by Thursday
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Issues faced at Nilandhoo ice plant to be resolved next week
Speaking at the ceremony, fisheries minister Dr Hussein Rasheed Hassan said that although MIFCO has been providing the widest fish storage facilities to fishermen so far, the plants were handed over to another company after considering many factors.
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Reducing costs: Since ice is generated using water and electricity, and Fenaka being a provider of water and electricity its resources can be utilised best to operate ice plants.
CEO of MIFCO Ismail Fauzee said that the company creates an ice ton in the cost range of MVR 1,200-1,300, but sells them at the price of MVR 750 per ton of ice. MIFCO incurs a huge loss from operating this way, he said.
Fenaka will maintain ice at the price already sold by MIFCO, but Fenaka's cost of production is low.
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Maintenance of ice plants will be made more cost efficient; if a problem occurs at an ice plant, Fenaka engineers and technical staff will be able to attend to the issues sooner, as Fenaka offices are located in different parts of the country.
Managing Director of Fenaka Ahmed Saeed said that with the capacity of the ice plants, fishermen will receive ice without any interruptions. He said that a lot of work is being done to provide the service without interruption. In this regard, he noted:
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Establishing a 24-hour operating mechanism
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Fenaka cable network will be established to reduce expenses
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There are plans to set up cold storage facilities for fishermen where ice plants are; the fishermen can store fish there and sell them
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A credit scheme will also be established to accommodate seasonal changes
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A system will be established to generate ice using renewable energy
"We need the opportunity to develop these facilities. The operation of stalled plants will be carried out first," Saeed said.
Fenaka has also launched a special software application to make ice more accessible for fishermen. The application can be installed on the phone and will enable pre-ordering for ice.
Saeed said that the application will enable fishermen to get ice without much difficulty. He also added that the application will be modified after discussions with fishermen.
