Gadhdhoo suspends licence services over alleged irregularities

GDh. Gadhdhoo Council has suspended all land and maritime licence services after identifying alleged irregularities, including cases where licences were issued without applicants completing practical tests.

In a statement issued on Monday, the council said the suspension followed the discovery of several alleged breaches of laws and regulations in the provision of licence services. It alleged that negligence by responsible officials and actions taken for financial gain were involved.

The council said it had received several complaints relating to licence services after newly elected councillors assumed office.

According to the council, a review was launched after Council President Ilhaam Rasheed received information last Wednesday indicating that several licences may have been issued in violation of regulations.

One case identified during the review involved a person who was in Malé when applying for a licence on 30 August but was issued the licence the following day, the council said.

The council alleged that further examination indicated the irregularities had taken place with the involvement of some members of the fourth-term council.

Two senior officials from the relevant ministry visited Gadhdhoo on Thursday to conduct monitoring, according to the statement. The council said the review also identified several breaches of licensing procedures.

The council said the number of licences issued from Gadhdhoo was close to the number issued in the Malé region.

More than 1,600 licences were issued through Gadhdhoo over the past year, equivalent to about 133 licences a month, according to the council.

The council said information obtained from examiners involved in the process indicated that there were weeks in which two or three applicants had been issued licences without completing the required practical examination.

It said civil service employees at the council secretariat had been left to address issues arising from the alleged irregularities.

The council said it was working with relevant government authorities to resume land and maritime licence services.

“Based on information received from examiners involved in this matter, it has been identified that in some weeks two or three people did not complete the practical test,” the council said.

The council said it would reorganise its administrative procedures to prevent misconduct, theft and breach of trust during its fifth term and ensure that laws and regulations are followed.

It also said it would continue to prioritise services that benefit residents while addressing the issues identified in the licensing process.