Gadhdhoo Council suspends licensing services: Over 1,600 licenses issued last year!
21 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ހޯމަ 19:14Licensing services in G.Dh. Gadhdhoo have been suspended following the discovery of over 1,600 illegally issued driver's licenses. The current island council alleges that the previous administration facilitated this fraudulent scheme for illicit financial gain, prompting an ongoing investigation by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
Gadhdhoo Island Council Secretariat. | Social Media
The Gadhdhoo Island Council has stated that the suspension of all land and sea transport licensing services was caused by negligence and unlawful acts committed for financial gain.
In a press release issued on Monday, the Gadhdhoo Council stated that they have continued to receive complaints regarding licensing procedures since the fifth term of the council took office. The council further noted that following an investigation initiated by Council President Ilham Rasheed, based on highly credible information, it was discovered that licenses had been issued in violation of established regulations.
Specifically, the council stated that the individual applied for the license from Male' on August 30, 2026, and the Gadhdhoo Council subsequently issued the license on August 31, 2026.
The statement highlighted that this was an uncivilized act carried out with the involvement of several members from the fourth session of the council. It further noted that civil service staff at the council secretariat have suffered significant grievances due to being coerced into performing various actions against their will.
The Ministry of Transport noted that two senior officials conducted a monitoring mission in Gadhdhoo on September 17, during which they identified numerous regulatory violations. The Ministry’s statement highlighted that the volume of licenses issued on the island nearly rivaled the figures seen in the capital, Male'. According to the statement, over 1,600 licenses were issued, averaging approximately 133 licenses per month.
The statement further noted that, according to information provided by examiners involved in conducting practical driving tests, there were weeks where not even two individuals had undertaken the examination.
Furthermore, the Gadhdhoo Council stated that discussions are underway with relevant authorities to resume licensing services. The council also assured that administrative procedures will be restructured to prevent such uncivilized crimes, theft, and embezzlement in the future.
