Transport work to begin at ‘high speed’ after stakeholder meetings, Maaniu says

Meetings with relevant stakeholders are underway and work will accelerate from next month to address road problems in the capital, said Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed, head of the Greater Male' Transport and Mobility Office.

The “Greater Male' Transport and Mobility Office”, the special agency created by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on July 12 last year, appointed Maaniu as its head on the 15th of this month.  

Speaking to Sun, Maaniu said the government is currently holding discussions with all authorities involved in congestion and traffic management. These include the police, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), ministries and schools.

“I have not met everyone yet. I don’t want to make any decision without the consent of all stakeholders. The agency will officially take over the streets and parking zones from October,” he said.

When asked about ongoing traffic issues, Maaniu highlighted several problems already visible on the roads, including people driving in Male' without proper licenses issued for rural areas, overtaking in the wrong direction, and the poor condition of vehicles involved in accidents.

“Most of the time, when you look closely at accidents, the tires and things are very worn. So when you apply the brakes, they cut off,” he said.

He noted that many road and traffic issues still need to be identified and studied. Decisions, he said, will be taken only after consulting all relevant authorities and understanding the current situation.

“Hopefully we will go at a fast pace starting next month. Then we will publicize what we are doing, our plans and action plans,” he said.

The agency, run under the Ministry of Transport, was established to solve the city’s traffic problems. According to the President’s Office, it was formed to coordinate programs with relevant authorities to find quick solutions to the rising number of vehicles on Male'’s roads. It will also play a major role in modernizing the city’s transport system and resolving long‑standing issues.

An office was set up to address vehicle congestion, and it appears that the number of vehicles in the city has already exceeded manageable levels.