Noonu Naturally > Progress

Resolution for Amendments to the Land-Use Planning Act and the Urban Planning Bill

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Number:
(PP)228-TS/228/2024/6
Published:
Author:
Noonu Atoll Council
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Background: On September 8th, the President promulgated the Land-Use Planning Act. Noonu Atoll council objects to the Land-Use Planning Act and the Urban Planning Bill, which is currently under consideration in Parliament, citing conflicts with the Decentralization Chapter of the Constitution, the Decentralization of Administrative Areas Act, and the objectives of the Land-Use Planning Act itself.

Concerns:

  1. Governance Impact: The Land-Use Planning Act and the Urban Planning Bill undermine the governance of local councils, which are the closest representatives of the people.

  2. Community Planning: These legislative changes strip communities of their ability to plan and manage their and local resources.

  3. Consultation Process: During the brief consultation phase, Parliament disregarded the views of councils, technical experts, and other associations.

  4. Lack of Engagement: No consultations have occurred with councils regarding the Land-Use Planning Act and proposed Urban Planning Bill, and the Ministry of Local Government also stated that the ministry itself has not been consulted, despite government assurances of involving the public and councils in a decentralization reform agenda.

Issues:

  1. Ministerial Overreach: The Act and Bill grant a minister the power to override council jurisdictions without community consent.

  2. Resource Management: This legislation restricts local governments and councils from planning and managing the country’s natural resources for the benefit of the people.

  3. Historical Precedent: Historical evidence in Maldives indicates that large investments and development projects, implemented without public consent, have not benefited the people and have led to significant thefts and frauds.

Resolution: Therefore, council calls for the re-amendment of the Land-Use Planning Act and the amendment of the Urban Planning Bill to ensure alignment with the Decentralization Chapter of the Constitution. Additionally, we object to the current design of the Urban Planning Bill, which is now under consideration in Parliament.

Conclusion: This resolution was unanimously passed by all council members present at the 38th meeting of the council on September 30th.