The Civil Court of Maldives on Monday ordered an interim injunction on executing Male’ City Council’s decision to terminate the contract with Ninety-9 Holdings, the previous buggy operator in Vilimale’.
The private company filed a lawsuit with Civil Court after the council terminated the contract in August 2022. Ninety-9 Holdings sought a stay order since it had made several investments in the land that was leased to them.
Besides terminating the contract, the council had also demanded Ninety-9 hand over the land as well.
Civil Court in its verdict said that it was difficult to calculate the damages both City Council and Ninety-9 faced, and in such circumstances, the court will revert to the precedent set by the High Court of Maldives to maintain the status quo of the original agreement.
The court’s decision comes fresh on the heels of the council making arrangements to launch its buggy services in Vilimale’. The council had earlier transported all the vehicles required for the operation and is expected to launch services sometime during this week.
While the council is preparing to launch its public transportation service in Vilimale’, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) earlier launched mini-bus services in the island.