Male' City Council challenges transfer of long-standing responsibilities to the new GMTMO office

The Male' City Council has decided to seek an interim court order to halt the transfer of its powers to the Transport Office. 

The decision was unanimously approved at the Council’s official general meeting held on Wednesday, authorizing judicial proceedings on the matter.

Speaking at the meeting, North Maafannu council member Hussain Furushan said the Greater Male' Transport and Mobility Office (GMTMO) was established following amendments to the Land Transport Act. He noted that the mandate of the new office overlaps with responsibilities currently carried out by the City Council. Furushan said judicial action should be taken against provisions of the amended Road Traffic Act, given the extent to which statutory responsibilities of the Council have been redistributed or restricted to confer powers on the GMTMO. He also proposed seeking an interim order to prevent the transfer of powers until the court reaches a decision. At this rate, the Male’ City Council could be dissolved, absolved of all responsibilities, taken over by the government.

According to Furushan, transferring long-standing responsibilities of an elected city council to an office created under the central government raises serious constitutional concerns. Mayor Adam Azim said the government is placing obstacles in the Council’s efforts to fulfill its legal responsibilities. He alleged that despite the Council’s effective work in road construction, drain cleaning and tree maintenance, which he said has been widely accepted by the public, government harassment has intensified.

The Road Traffic Act, which came into force last month, includes a special chapter for the Male' area. Article 101 establishes a Transport Mobility Fund to plan and operate road transport in Male' upon the Act’s enforcement. A traffic office has also been created for the region. Mayor Azim previously said the legislative changes would result in the Council losing MVR 10 million per month.