The government should not have the option to enter every business without a plausible reason, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said on Wednesday.
In a post on X, MDP's Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail said the government's entry into the taxi business has caused a huge loss to many people involved in the business for their livelihood.
"The government is misleading by saying that private businesses will not be harmed with the introduction of the MTCC taxi line," the former Economic Minister wrote.
Fayyaz expressed concern as the government dismissed the distress of taxi drivers and refused to alleviate their worries through consultation.
"The government should not have the option of entering into any business when it sees fit," he added.
Meanwhile, the MDP's President Abdulla Shahid wrote on X that the launch of the MTCC taxi line shows that there is no direction in government policies.
"The inconsistent remarks about the taxi service from the government and ruling party leaders is proof that the government does not know what should happen and what is happening," the former Foreign Minister stated.
Earlier on Tuesday, Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah denied the government's plans to control the taxi service.
“His [President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's] government is trying to solve the problems faced by taxi drivers. The government is not trying to provide taxi services. The President is looking very closely at the challenges faced by taxi drivers and working to solve these issues," the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP said.
Just a day after his comments, an agreement was signed between the Transport Ministry and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to begin taxi service.
Transport Ministry assured private taxi drivers that the new government taxi line would not affect their livelihood. The ministry said it would offer additional income generating opportunities for private taxi drivers.
The government first announced the launch of a taxi line at a ceremony on July 25 last year. However, the government changed its decision on August 4 after taxi drivers protested against it.
However, Transport Minister Ameen told the parliament's Economic Affairs Committee in October that the government has decided to task a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) with providing taxi service.
