Mohamed Nimal, the CEO of the Local Government Authority (LGA), has stated that the proposed amendment to the Decentralization Act, which allows the government to reclaim lands within council jurisdictions for development projects, will significantly facilitate and accelerate island development. Under this amendment, the government will be empowered to acquire land for projects following a Cabinet decision, even prior to the approval of physical development plans. Nimal highlighted that this change is a crucial step toward ensuring legal cooperation from councils for government initiatives, noting that delays from some councils in releasing land have previously hindered projects. Furthermore, the amendment specifies that councils should not obstruct government projects without valid justification.
