The Minister of Economic, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed stated today that he has requested an investigation into the concerns of those who took on the Taxi Nafaa loan.
The minister said that he responded to a letter meant for him that was posted on social media regarding the loan and issues surrounding it by a person named Adam Saleem, of Mutheege, HA. Dhidhdhoo.
In response to the letter, Saeed said that he has informed the Transport Department staff to find the quickest paths to fairly investigate the concerns regarding those who took on the Taxi Nafaa loan.
"The aim of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government is to closely serve citizens, and to quickly find solutions to matters such as this that are requested by citizens," as was written in Minister Saeed's letter.
In the letter from Adam Saleem from Dhidhdhoo where he had tagged Minister Saeed, it reads that those who took on the loan under the Taxi Nafaa loan scheme have repeatedly been told to repay the loan while taxi drivers have been unable to register their cars.
The Taxi Nafaa loan scheme is a special scheme where loans are given to start up related businesses. The loans are given by the SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC), a state-owned enterprise that provides financing to small and medium enterprises (SME).
Adam Saleem wrote that the practical work in getting cars registered, cars that were given under the loan scheme, gets delayed, and that having to repay the loan while the car has not even been registered causes great difficulty to those who take on the loan. He also wrote that permission to perform taxi services are not given without the car being registered, and that they would have to face legal consequences if they drive without permission.
"This results in those who took the loans not being able to benefit from their business, with the act of being forced to pay the loan infringing on one's rights. As registrations are delayed due to relevant government departments not taking the necessary steps on time, forcing people to pay the loan is not fair and is something to take note of," as was written in Adam Saleem's letter.
In his letter, he requested that loan repayment be postponed until their cars are registered. He also requested to expedite car registration.
Adam Saleem has listed out solutions for the issue to the minister as well:
- To arrange a grace period for those who took on the loan until their car is registered.
- To take steps in expediting car registration by cooperating with the relevant departments in the Transport Ministry.
- To ensure that delays in the registration are not due to the negligence of those who took on the loan, and to make arrangements so that those who took on the loan do not experience further difficulties.
- Request to the minister to find a fair solution to those who received cars under the loan scheme.
Adam Saleem's letter also requests the opportunity to meet with Minister Saeed so that these issues can be talked about in detail.
A lot of time has passed since taxi drivers who took on the Taxi Nafaa loan have been experiencing issues and have not been offered a solution. The drivers have stated that they have submitted the issue to various government agencies.
