People's National Congress (PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged on Wednesday to cancel all fines imposed for illegal parking if he is elected in September's election.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Shaviyani Funadhoo, Muizzu said not issuing stickers for parking violations without providing more parking spaces was a pledge of the government that has not been fulfilled. The fines are not fair, he said.
"Money from fines is even included in the budget. The parking sticker fine is not fair. It is not just either. I will forgive all the parking fines for all citizens, he said.
Multi-storey parking buildings will be developed to permanently solve parking space constraints in Male', he said.
"I will stop having to beg for the garage permit. I will provide a permanent solution to the parking problem. Space will be provided from the parking buildings that we will develop."
Muizzu expressed displeasure saying that the government has not approved the city council's plans for parking buildings.
In his speech at the rally, Muizzu said more airports were needed in Shaviyani atoll to facilitate tourism expansion. He pledged to develop Farukolhu as an important eco-tourism destination.
Population consolidation was successfully carried out in Funadhoo in the past, Muizzu noted, pledging to attract investments and create jobs as part of an integrated development plan for the three northernmost atolls.
"Population and development consolidation cannot be forced... Many jobs have to be available. Housing should be easily available. Health services should be available without going to Male'. Education should be available for children at the desired quality. If this can be done, people will come happily. I will develop this island to the level where this can be taken forward," Muizzu said.
Population consolidation would enable services to be expanded and provided equally to all citizens as funds would not have to be allocated from the state budget to more than 180 islands, he said.
Muizzu also pledged to develop all the roads of the island, build a regional youth center and carry out a major land reclamation project for Funadhoo.
