The Local Government Authority (LGA) has decided to allocate funds for councils to prepare land use plans.
Speaking to PSM News, CEO of LGA Dr. Maryam Zulfa highlighted the highly technical aspects of formulating land use plans. She said that the local councils find the task significantly challenging and that only 39 land use plans have been submitted so far.
As such, Dr. Zulfa said councils that wish to prepare land use plans through companies will be provided with funding after they submit the quotation or details of the estimated cost. She also said that every country formulates urban schemes under an urban planning act and that land use plans are prepared as a first step to implementing the schemes.
Additionally, Dr. Zulfa said that a system will be established to view land use plans of all islands, adding that she will advise the President on making the information on the planned economic activities of the islands available via the LGA portal. She clarified that the system would allow the public to view the planned projects and economic activities in different parts of the country.
The last amendment to the Decentralisation Act stipulates that after the council elections, within three months of the elected members assuming office, each island council shall prepare its development plan and land use plan with technical assistance provided by the atoll council. However, many councils have not prepared land use plans due to various challenges in completing the task.