Even MPs request illegal vehicle registrations: Minister Ameen

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen said today that several Members of Parliament have requested the ministry to register vehicles illegally.

Speaking in Parliament in response to a question from MDP Hulhumale' South MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed, Minister Ameen said the Transport Ministry is fulfilling its legal responsibilities and that no vehicles are currently being registered outside the law.

“I can assure you, God willing, nothing happens outside the law now. It is in accordance with the law,” he said.

Ameen emphasized that even when MPs approach the ministry for illegal vehicle registrations, the ministry rejects such requests and applies the law equally.

Dr Shamheed had questioned why the ministry was not taking greater responsibility for the rising number of vehicle registrations and why fines and parking violation stickers were being issued without first ensuring the availability of parking buildings or parking spaces.

In response, Ameen explained that a regulation now prohibits vehicle imports unless the owner has a registered garage. He added that the government has already designed a parking building and will award the construction contract within the next month.

Parking stickers were introduced as a response to the growing problem of illegal parking in Male', he said.

The minister also noted that the government is taking measures to reduce motorcycle congestion, saying there had been a significant decline in new motorcycle registrations last year after registration authority in the Male' area was brought directly under the Transport Ministry.