The Muizzu administration has announced plans to introduce a toll fee for the Sinamale’ bridge, reversing President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s previous campaign promises. This decision was revealed as part of the “Male’ Fahi” programme.
During the presidential campaign, concerns were raised by the opposition regarding the potential introduction of a toll on the Sinamale’ bridge under a Progressive Party of Maldives-People’s National Congress (PPM-PNC) government. President Muizzu had dismissed these claims as “absolutely false news” and criticized them as “irresponsible and uncivilized” in a statement made on August 29 last year on the social media platform
އަޅުގަނޑުމެންގެ ވެރިކަމެއްގައި ސިނަމާލެ ބްރިޖު ބޭނުންކުރާ ރައްޔިތުން އަތުން ފީ ނަގަން ނިންމާފައިވާ ކަމަށް ފަތުރަމުންދަނީ ކަނޑައެޅިގެން ދޮގު ޚަބަރެއް. ދޮގު ބުހުތާނު ވާހަކަތައް ފެތުރުމަކީ ޒިންމާދާރުކަން ކުޑަ، ނާތަހުޒީބު ޢަމަލެއް.
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) August 29, 2023
in November 2016, when Mohamed Muizzu was serving as Housing Minister, he had announced during a press conference that a toll system would be implemented at the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.
Despite his earlier denials, the new initiative, unveiled at the Male’ Fahi launch event, includes the implementation of toll fees for bridges and highways. President Muizzu inaugurated the programme himself. The initiative will involve consultations with relevant state agencies to ensure the sustainable maintenance of bridges and highways. Studies to determine the toll fee structure and establish a mechanism for its implementation are set to begin in August, as outlined at the ceremony.
The idea of charging a toll for the Sinamale’ bridge was first considered when the bridge was completed during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, with Muizzu serving as Housing Minister at the time. However, after the change in government, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) decided against imposing a toll, considering travel across the Sinamale’ bridge a fundamental service that should remain free of charge.
