GBARNGA, LIBERIA — In a bold move to safeguard local governance, Bong County Council Chairman Aaron Sackie-Fenlah has asserted his intention to launch a vigorous campaign against any member of the County Legislative Caucus who supports the amendment and repeal of certain provisions in the Local Government Act of 2018. This controversial legislative proposal, aimed at granting oversight responsibility for budget and development approval to the County Legislative Caucus, has sparked significant debate among elected officials and the citizenry alike.
At the heart of the matter is a bill titled “An Act to Repeal Section 2.2, Sub-Sections (e&f) of the Local Government Act of 2018,” introduced by Hon. Jeremiah Sokan Sr., a lawmaker from Grand Gedeh County, during the tenth sitting of the second quarter of the 55th Legislature. This bill seeks to eliminate the direct involvement of county councils in critical local governance processes, which has raised alarm among various stakeholders in Bong County.
Currently, Section 2.2 of the Local Government Act outlines the counties’ budgetary and developmental responsibilities. The proposed amendments would specifically repeal the stipulations within Sub-Section 2.2 (e), which mandates the County Legislatures to “approve the annual county budget,” and Sub-Section 2.2 (f), which requires them to “approve a county development plan and its implementation.” The concern is that removing these provisions would undermine the principles of checks and balances that are essential for transparent and accountable management of county resources.
Chairman Fenlah voiced his discontent with the bill’s provisions, describing them as a direct threat to the decentralization of government power and a significant setback for local citizens’ engagement in governance. He asserted that allowing the County Legislative Caucus to take over these responsibilities could lead to a lack of transparency and accountability, thereby exacerbating issues in the management of local resources.
Following the bill’s introduction, the House of Representatives Plenary has instructed several committees—including those on Good Governance, Ways, Means and Finance, Internal Affairs, and Judiciary—to conduct a diligent review and provide recommendations within two weeks. This timeline sets the stage for heightened political tension as supporters and opponents prepare to make their cases.
In a strong statement to the press, Chairman Fenlah emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the voice of the local populace is neither undermined nor silenced by legislative changes that favor central authority over decentralization. “This bill is not just an issue of legislative procedure; it’s about our rights as citizens of Bong County to have a say in how our resources are managed and how our communities develop,” he stated.
As the discussions unfold, all eyes are on the members of the Bong County Legislative Caucus, who will soon face pressure from both constituents and their council chairman. The outcome of this proposed amendment and the resulting political landscape could have lasting implications for governance in Bong County, potentially reshaping the relationship between local lawmakers and their constituents during a critical juncture in Liberia’s political history.
With the clock ticking for the committees to assert their recommendations, and campaign threats looming over potential dissenters, the stage is set for a highly charged political battle in Bong County, one that could redefine the contours of local governance and citizen representation in Liberia.
