Maldives government Tuesday fired a stark warning to local businesses over reports of a possible hike in prices following the change in regulation in cargo transportation within the capital Male.
In a bid to ease traffic congestion in the most densely populated city in the world, government had put a time limit on transporting cargo within the city with effect from Sunday.
Transport authority had initially planned to restrict transportation of cargo within the most densely populated city in the world from 10pm to 6am. However, following concerns raised by local businesses, the transport authority has now revised the time cap from 6pm to 6am giving businesses a 12 hour window to transport cargo.
Following the change to regulation, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has now changed cargo clearance to after sunset.
According to an economic ministry announcement, the time limit on cargo transportation would come into effect from April 1, would include construction material, cargo supply to wholesalers and retailers.
Despite the warning, dockworkers who had been on strike from Sunday demanding better compensation for now having to work round the clock over the regulation change have now reportedly driven up their charges for clearing cargo from the main port in the capital.
In response, economic ministry in a statement warned local businesses over the price hike reports insisting that anyone found guilty of driving up prices over the change in traffic regulation would be penalized.
The statement said the change in traffic regulation was brought to ease congestion in the capital and the ministry noted that it was not a reason to drive up prices.
Despite the warning, dockworkers who had been on strike from Sunday demanding better compensation for now having to work round the clock over the regulation change have now reportedly driven up their charges for clearing cargo from the main port in the capital.
