The government has decided to charge a fee for using the Sinamale' bridge despite President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to the contrary during the presidential election campaign.
The decision was announced as part of the "Male' Fahi" programme inaugurated last night to ensure road safety in Male'.
During the election campaign, supporters of the previous government alleged that a toll would be introduced for using the Sinamale' bridge under a Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) government.
However, President Muizzu denied the allegation at the time. "[The allegation] being spread that we have decided to charge a fee from citizens using the Sinamale' bridge under our government is absolutely false news," the President said on August 29 last year in a post on X. "Spreading blatantly false claims is an irresponsible and uncivilised act," he added.
Despite the President's statement at the time, the introduction of a "toll fee" for using bridges and highways was included and announced as part of the Male' Fehi programme launched by the government last night.
The programme was inaugurated by the President.
After discussions with the relevant state agencies on the sustainable maintenance of bridges and highways, studies needed for setting a toll fee and establishing a mechanism for implementation will begin in August, it was announced at last night's ceremony.
Charging a fee for using the Sinamale' bridge was previously discussed when the bridge was completed during former President Abdulla Yameen's government with President Muizzu as the Housing Minister.
However, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) decided against it after the change of government. After assuming office, the MDP government considered travelling on the Sinamale' to be a basic service and decided not to introduce a toll.
