The Malé City Council has referred the issue of parking spaces sold on the capital’s roads to its Audit Committee for further consideration of an investigative audit.

The decision was made unanimously at the council’s 15th official general meeting of its fifth term.

Council member for Maafannu North constituency Hussain Furshan submitted the proposal, saying the issue of selling road-side parking spaces had been raised for several years and involved more than 800 parking spaces.

Furshan said the former Transport Ministry informed the council on 10 February 2022 that parking zones on roads could not be sold. He also said the Local Government Authority (LGA) had instructed the council to stop the practice, but the previous council continued selling the spaces.

He further said the Attorney General had advised the council to cancel parking spaces that could not legally be sold.

Furshan said the matter should also be referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).