A vehicle brought in by Noonu Atoll Landhoo Council has been set on fire, days before the council starts waste management work on the island.
The pickup was brought to the island for the waste management work.
Speaking to 'The Press', Vice President of Landhoo Council Mansoor Mohamed said that he received the report of the fire around 3:50 am earlier this morning.
He said that authorities worked to extinguish the fire but by the time the fire was put out, a major part of the pickup was damaged.
Mansoor said that the vehicle was donated to the island by the government and that the vehicle was to be used for waste collection.
He further said that the fire come a day before the project kicks off and that he does now know who had set the vehicle on fire.
He also said that Police are actively investigating the fire and that the Council has shared CCTV footage with the police.
Mansoor said that while the Council has asked residents to register for waste collection, some remain skeptical about the project saying that the monthly fee of MVR 200 is too high.
But Mansoor said that considering workers' salaries based on the minimum wage, a monthly fee of MVR 200 is sustainable.
Landhoo Council Vice President further said that since the vehicle was damaged beyond use, they were negotiating with the Environment Ministry to acquire another vehicle.
