Muizz admits irregularities in some parking slots leases
Muizzu added that the slots sold from the cycle parking zones have been identified and the issue is being rectified now.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Male mayor Dr Mohamed Muizz admitted on Thursday that some of the parking slots leased by the Male City Council last year have not been done properly.
In February last year, the city council opened up the opportunity to book parking spaces in Male. These slots, allotted for a maximum period of one year for a monthly fee, allows each person to apply for slots from three different areas.
Parking space rates:
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For taxis – MVR 650 per month
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for private cars – MVR 1,500 per month
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Companies – MVR 3,000 per month
While many have applied for these slots, those who got the slots from the draw have already been allotted slots. Many such slots have been allotted in areas where a large section of the public was usually parking their bikes, leading to concerns raised by some quarters.
I agree with that, too. It has happened in some places. But it’s something we are very careful to avoid. For example, there might be a motorcycle zone that had been let out.
At the press conference, when asked by Atoll Times about the removal of motorcycle parking zones, Muizz admitted that it had happened.
"I agree with that, too. It has happened in some places. But it’s something we are very careful to avoid. For example, there might be a motorcycle zone that had been let out," he said.
Muizz added that the slots sold from the cycle parking zones have been identified and the issue rectified now.
Pointing out that he did not wish to sell slots in a designated zone for motorcycle parking, Muizz said that it had happened outside the regulations. He also said that as soon as something like this is noticed, it will be corrected.
The mayor added:
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Parking slots are being sold after announcing and shortlisting applicants
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Slots will be sold usually from places where cars have been parked in the past
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However, even places where traffic congestion is high have also been selected for slots
Muizz said that he did not wish to lease parking slots along any road. The objective is to build parking lots and allot slots from there, but that is not possible because he don't have the support of the government, he said.
"I had to say this because we have marked parking buildings across the city and submitted a land use plan to the government, but no progress has been made on it. We are not getting it done because the government is not cooperating," Muizzu said, adding that the council wants to build parking buildings at least four locations in the city.
Muizz said the parking structures can be constructed only by attracting investors, but the government has asked it to build it with funds from the council's budget. This can only be done if the council forms a company, but it is also not allowed, he said.
