Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed stated today that even though the law reads that old vehicles will be destroyed, it will only be done after compensation has been provided.

While answering a question from a journalist during the press conference held at the President's Office, Saeed said that there are many ongoing efforts in solving the issue of congestion in Male'. He said that allowing the vehicles age is also a part of the solution.

The recent amendment to the Land Transport Act reads that vehicles can now only be driven up to 20 years from its manufactured date and that its registry will be voided upon reaching the end of the 20th year but only after the owner has been notified.

Procedural steps within that stage will be defined under a set of guidelines once the bill is ratified. Saeed said vehicles will be destroyed in a way that will not burden the public.

"If a situation where aging a vehicle arises and it needs to be solved for example, a third party will assess the value of the vehicle at the time and only destroy it after compensation is offered and after they are in a position where they are able to get another vehicle," said the minister.

Registered vehicles aged between 18 to 20 years can only see use for three years after ratification of the bill.

According to the regulation included in the article, the registry will include the manufactured date of the vehicle when it is being registered, in order to enforce the regulation.