The government has facilitated the payment of annual fees and fines for land vehicles and marine vessels in monthly installments.
The arrangement was facilitated under newly gazetted Regulations on the Allocation of Annual Fees and Penalties Payable for Road Vehicles and Marine Vessels, issued by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. The purpose of the new regulation is to provide flexible payment options for annual fees, penalties arising from non-payment of annual fees, and other vehicle-related fines owed to the state, for individuals who are unable to pay the full amount in a lump sum.
Under the regulation, five criteria have to be met to be eligible for this scheme:
- Total amount owed exceeding USD 648
- Expiry of payment due date
- Requesting for a lenient payment plan under the regulation
- Must not have previously utilised the payment plan option
- Being the registered owner of the vessel or vehicle
As per the regulation, a commitment fee must be paid to avail the leniency. The flexible payment plan option request will be canceled if the commitment fee is not paid within 14 days. The Ministry will draw up an agreement with those who pay the fee within the stipulated time frame.
In the agreement, the minimum monthly payable amount will be determined after deducing the commitment fee from the total amount owed. If payments are not made within 30 days of the agreed schedule, the Ministry reserves the right to terminate the agreement.
Following the gazetting of the new regulation, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen stated that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's vision is to bring ease to the country's citizens. He expressed gratitude to the President for his commitment to improving the lives of the public.