Maldives Local Councils' Association (MLCA) has opposed the Urban Planning and Management Act, citing that it could negatively affect the system that represents and provides services to the public.
Maldives Local Councils' Association (MLCA) has opposed the Urban Planning and Management Act, citing that it could negatively affect the system that represents and provides services to the public.
In a resolution issued yesterday, the association stated that the Act contradicts the Decentralization law and the goals of the Decentralization of Administrative Areas. As a result, the association has called on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to amend the law, which he ratified last Sunday.
The association said that the law will have a significant adverse impact on the functioning of local councils, which are responsible for providing services to the public. It also warns that the Act may strip communities of their ability to plan and manage their resources in a way that best benefits them.
Under the Act, the national policy on urban planning and management will be determined by the President, based on advice from the Cabinet, with the Minister of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure responsible for its implementation. However, the Decentralization Act gives local councils the authority to decide land use, with input from island residents.
The association further criticized the legislative process, stating that the parliament had ignored feedback submitted by member councils, technical experts, and other associations during consultations on the bill. Additionally, the Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef, was not consulted, and the law contradicts his instructions to the parliament committee.
"The ministry's exclusion of the opinions of councils and technical experts in passing the Act raises doubts about the government's promise to involve the public and councils in decision making processes," the resolution said.
The association expressed concern that the Act grants a minister the power to override the authority of elected councils without consulting the community. It also warned that the Act could allow the government to manage natural resources without public input, potentially prioritizing investment and development projects that do not benefit the Maldivian people.
In light of these concerns, the Local Councils' Association has called for a revision of the Urban Planning and Management Act.
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