Local Government Authority (LGA) has announced solutions will be provided in the coming week for the challenges faced by local councils in formulating the Land Use Plans (LUPs) as per the Decentralisation Act.
Formulation of LUPs was stipulated as a responsibility of local councils under the amendments brought to the Decentralisation Act, which came into effect with the election of new councils last year. Councils were required to submit their LUPs to LGA by November 30 last year. However, only 40 councils were able to submit their LUPs within the given timeframe, of which only three plans were approved by the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
Speaking to PSM News, CEO of LGA Fathimath Afshan Latheef LUPs are essential for the commencement of development projects as well as income generation for councils. However, Afshan noted most councils have not been able to submit their plans due to different reasons such as the lack of professional expertise and the failure of contracted parties to meet the deadlines. She said LGA has held discussions with the planning ministry and the Decentralisation Committee of the Parliament to provide a quick solution for the challenges faced in submitting LUPs. As such, she revealed a revised set of regulations will be sent to local councils in the coming week, easing the process of submitting LUPs.
The Decentralisation Act states LUPs will come into effect after the plan is approved by the planning ministry, and subsequently passed by a meeting with the public. The same process will apply to bring any changes to the LUPs.