Half of Vehicle Registration Numbers Sold is Illegitimate, Says Minister

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen disclosed that half of the vehicle registration numbers sold during the previous administration under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih were found to be illegitimate. 

Addressing queries during the ‘Ahaa’ forum, a platform facilitating direct interaction with governmental figures, Minister Ameen outlined plans to rectify this issue within the coming 20 days.

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Responding to concerns raised by a young participant regarding the cessation of vehicle registration number sales and the significant price disparities observed, Minister Ameen clarified that the previous administration had halted such sales following directives from the President’s Office. This decision stemmed from the identification of substantial irregularities within the registration number system.

The suspension of registration number sales was implemented in August of the preceding year, Minister Ameen confirmed. Despite this, he acknowledged that certain individuals continued to provide services using legitimately acquired registration numbers, emphasising the government’s commitment to supporting law-abiding citizens in accessing necessary services.

Highlighting the scale of the issue, Minister Ameen revealed that approximately half of the 1400 registration numbers currently in use across the Maldives were deemed illegitimate, totalling around 700 registrations. He attributed this predicament to malpractices within the Transport Ministry, including instances of collusion between ministry personnel and external parties in the illegal sale of registration numbers at exorbitant prices.

In light of these circumstances, Minister Ameen underscored the government’s resolve to facilitate the validation of registration numbers obtained through fraudulent means. He expressed empathy towards individuals inadvertently affected by these irregularities and assured them of the government’s efforts to mitigate any potential losses incurred.

Recognising the logistical challenges associated with verifying numerous registration numbers, Minister Ameen reiterated the government’s commitment to streamlining the validation process.

He pledged to address the registration number issue within the next six months, underscoring the administration’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability within the transportation sector.