North-Galolhu MP raises concerns of towing students’ vehicles

North-Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim on Saturday raised concerns about authorities towing students’ vehicles parked near Villa College and Maldives National University (MNU).

The MP earlier on July 16^th wrote a letter to Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau for solution in the matter.

It has been a month since the MP wrote the letter, but not received a response from the Police Commissioner, which the lawmaker highlighted at Saturday’s parliament sitting.

The lawmaker urged not to exploit students in overcoming current financial situation of the Maldives.

In his letter, the North-Galolhu MP highlighted the Villa College block houses other academic institutions, and noted students generally parked in zones surrounding these institutions. The MP also noted that majority of the students who frequently parked in these areas usually traveled from Hulhumale’ to attend for studies, but have frequently experienced their vehicles towed by authorities.

The MP believes authorities can contact owners of these vehicles and give them time to shift their vehicles instead of promptly towing them.

Evening session of colleges in Maldives generally finish by 23:00hrs, but if students find their vehicles towed by this time when they leave colleges, they are unable to get their vehicles back since police do not release them after this hour.

“Many of these students complain facing financial detriments simply for attending to their academic institutions due to their vehicles being towed,” the MP said.

He has requested authorities relax their towing policies for students, especially in specific hours when majority of them attend colleges, until sufficient parking venues are established.

The MP also urged for a simpler vehicle release process for students should their vehicles get towed.

Authorities have begun towing illegally parked and unmarked vehicles from Male’ and Hulhumale’. The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation recently announced it decided to provide a plot from Hulhumale’ for these vehicles to park for a temporary duration, and extend a six-month period for their owners to register them.