Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has stated the Male' City Council is not authorised to sell parking slots to private parties without government permission.
The council has announced it will be selling 1,000 parking slots in the capital city and that slots to be sold under garage slots will be for permanent parking.
The rules and regulations of land transportation allow the council to establish parking zones and lease parking slots for a limited period. However, the council is not allowed to lease parking slots for long periods of time.
The transport ministry stated the council can provide leasing of parking slots after it submits a land-use plan for approval. The ministry noted the council has not disclosed a land-use plan or its policy on leasing parking slots and the council does not have the authority to lease parking slots to private parties without permission.
The ministry also stated that the council does not have the authority to sell parts of the city streets, as they should be usable for all citizens. It stated the government will not allow the council to provide benefits to some individuals at the expense of the public.
Furthermore, the Local Government Authority (LGA) stated it intends to investigate the plan to sell the parking slots to ascertain whether it is in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations. LGA has requested the Male' City Council to halt its plan to sell the parking slots until the investigation is completed.
Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of LGA Fathimath Afshan Latheef said a letter has been sent to Mayor of Male' City Mohamed Muizzu to submit the relevant documents regarding the plan to sell the parking slots.