To streamline development priorities relative to county development, the Ministries of Finance and Internal Affairs have concluded a week-long consultative dialogue with Legislative Caucuses.
The project seeks to identify the development needs of the counties, prioritizing the most important programs to be implemented by the government.
The two ministries are working collaboratively to align the perspectives of citizens in various counties with those of the legislative caucuses representing their respective constituencies.
After conducting nationwide consultations with citizens in the fifteen counties, the two ministries, in line with the 2018 Local Governance Act, invited lawmakers to provide their views on what was highlighted by their constituencies regarding their developmental, economic, and social needs.
The project gives national leaders the opportunity to leverage the views of ordinary citizens and their lawmakers in developing a national development plan.
This plan, as expected, will impact the 2025 Draft National Budget currently being developed by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning under the leadership of Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan.
On Wednesday, October 2, the last day of the consultative engagement, the Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Tanneh G. Brunson, underscored the crucial role of legislators in formulating County Development Agendas. She emphasized that the success of these initiatives ultimately hinges on active participation and political direction from lawmakers.
In her remarks at the conclusion of consultations with legislators regarding the crafting of the National Development Plans, Madam Brunson highlighted the significance of their insights and oversight.
Notably, she pointed out that the consultation process is designed to integrate views and feedback from their constituents. “While our consultations were thorough, we understand that no process can capture every facet of society,” she stated, urging lawmakers to provide guidance based on their findings.
Furthermore, Deputy Minister Brunson described the engagement with legislators as a collaborative opportunity to refine development strategies, thereby ensuring inclusivity in the planning process. “These discussions have been transformative, providing invaluable insights that will shape the development trajectory of Liberia,” she added.
In their responses, the Chairpersons of the Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, and Nimba Legislative Caucuses—Senators Botoe Kanneh, Simeon B. Taylor, Thomas Yaya Nimley, and Representative Saye Mianah—hailed the Ministries of Finance, Development Planning, and Internal Affairs for organizing the consultations.
The lawmakers, on behalf of their colleagues, called for the national budget to reflect the views and aspirations of the people. They also urged local leaders in their counties to collaborate in securing funds for various projects and programs.
Ultimately, the consultations were part of the processes leading to the crafting of the National Development Plan (ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development), County Development Agendas, and the Public Sector Investment Plan, all aimed at creating a comprehensive framework for sustainable growth across the counties.
Lawmakers from Liberia’s fifteen counties convened at a local hotel in Monrovia for three days to assess and provide their inputs based on findings from the District and County Consultations conducted by the Liberian government and its partners.
