Maniu to lead new office tasked with tackling Malé traffic

Former Customs Commissioner General Yoosuf Maniu has been appointed to head the Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office, established by the government to address traffic and transport issues in the Malé region.

Maniu confirmed to Dhauru on Tuesday that he was appointed to the post several days ago. The government has yet to formally announce the appointment.

Maniu said preparations were under way to establish the office, including developing its operating procedures, recruiting staff and securing office premises.

“God willing, we are aiming to begin the office’s work properly from the first of next month,” Maniu said.

President Mohamed Muizzu established the Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office in July under powers granted to the President by the Constitution.

The office’s responsibilities and powers were subsequently set out under amendments to the Land Transport Act ratified last month.

Its mandate includes developing policies and programmes to address problems in the land transport system and reduce road congestion, as well as planning and developing roads with an emphasis on urban planning standards.

The office will also be responsible for establishing a quota system for vehicle registrations in the Greater Malé region. Under the system, the number of new vehicles registered each year must not exceed 30 per cent of the total number of vehicles removed from the region or whose registrations are cancelled during that year.

Other responsibilities include developing parking systems for the Malé region and establishing standards and procedures governing parking.

The office is also tasked with establishing and operating dedicated bus services for schoolchildren and public transport bus services.

Another part of its mandate is to strengthen vehicle roadworthiness inspections through technology. This includes establishing an automated vehicle inspection system in accordance with standards set by the relevant ministry under regulations issued pursuant to the law.

Maniu previously served as the first Commissioner General of Customs appointed under the current administration. He was removed from the post in July 2024.

Following his removal, Maniu was appointed as a state minister at the Ministry of Homeland Security. He resigned from that position two days later.

Maniu is the brother of former Agriculture Minister Dr Mariyam Mariya, who also served as the current administration’s first Higher Education Minister. Mariya was appointed Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this month.

Mariya resigned from the Cabinet in April as part of changes made by President Muizzu following the local council elections.