The proposed amendment to the Decentralisation Act, which would allow the Government to take over land under the jurisdiction of councils for development projects, will help accelerate projects across the islands, Local Government Authority (LGA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mohamed Nimal has said.
Nimal made the remarks while providing information to PSM News on a bill submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru to amend the Decentralisation Act.
MP Abdul Hannan has said one of the reasons for submitting the bill is to ensure the full cooperation of councils, within a legal framework, in carrying out Government development projects at a faster pace. He also said the amendment was proposed to strengthen procedures relating to land required for State projects.
Among the provisions proposed under the amendment is a measure allowing the Cabinet to decide that land or other areas under the jurisdiction of a council may be removed from the council's jurisdiction where they are required for Government development projects.
The bill also states that such land and areas may be taken over by the Government even before the physical development plan of the respective island or city has been approved and brought into effect.
Speaking about the amendment, CEO Nimal said councils sometimes delay releasing land required by the Government to carry out projects in islands and cities. He said the LGA also receives complaints about councils refusing to release land, adding that such issues have been found to delay projects.
CEO Nimal said councils are not only responsible for providing services to the public, but should also facilitate Government initiatives being carried out for the benefit of the people. He said he did not believe the Government taking land for development projects would prevent councils from providing their services.
"Besides providing services to the public, councils are a channel through which Government projects are facilitated. Every council should provide that cooperation. However, there are occasions when councils delay the release of land," CEO Nimal said.
The bill currently before Parliament also states that councils must provide full cooperation when the Government carries out projects in an island or city for the collective benefit of the public.
It further proposes that councils should not, without a valid reason, take actions that obstruct such projects or make decisions that result in such projects being halted.