Attorney General Uz Ahmed Usham has said that vehicle registration fees collected in Malé will be allocated to a dedicated fund to address traffic issues, improve road safety and provide resources to the police.

Speaking on the eighth episode of the ‘Ahaa’ forum, jointly organised by the President’s Office and PSM, Usham said the new legal framework would ensure that vehicle fees are used specifically to address transport and road-related issues.

He said a Road Safety Council, comprising relevant ministers and the Commissioner of Police, would be established under the new law. A separate provision has also been included to address Malé’s specific traffic challenges.

Usham noted that the Malé City Council had not adequately used vehicle registration fee revenue to maintain roads in the past, despite the significant funds collected.

He said the revenue would now be deposited into a dedicated fund and used exclusively for road maintenance, traffic management and providing the police with the resources needed to address traffic-related issues.

However, Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has previously warned that the removal of the revenue would significantly affect municipal services. He said the funds had also been used to maintain mosques, provide assistance during emergencies such as flooding and carry out essential public services, including street cleaning.

Under the new law, annual vehicle fees for vehicles operating in the Malé area will be collected by the Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office, established under the Ministry of Transport.