President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has underscored the pivotal role of coordinated efforts among ministries and agencies in advancing Liberia’s decentralization agenda.
He made the call In a recent Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization meeting held at the EJS Ministerial Complex, Congo Town.
The meeting, attended by heads of various Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) involved in decentralization efforts, served as a platform to discuss critical steps forward in enhancing service delivery at the subnational level.
President Boakai, leading the Unity Party government, emphasized the administration’s commitment to overcoming longstanding financial challenges that have hampered County Service Centers.
He highlighted the implementation of Chapter 7.2 of the Revenue Sharing Act, which mandates the retention of 40% of revenues generated at these centers, as a crucial step towards bolstering their operational effectiveness.
This move, he suggested, aims to reduce dependency on central funding and empower local communities to address their development needs more autonomously.
Addressing bureaucratic hurdles that citizens face, President Boakai directed all relevant MACs to decentralize approval and signing authorities to local representatives.
This initiative seeks to streamline administrative processes and alleviate the burden on citizens who often incur significant costs traveling to Monrovia for necessary approvals.
Reflecting on his administration’s legislative agenda outlined earlier in the State of the Nation Address, President Boakai reiterated plans to establish the Ministry of Local Government.
This ministry, cardiba to the operationalization of the Local Government Act of 2018, will play a crucial role in driving the decentralization agenda forward.
The Liberia Leader also highlighted efforts to operationalize laws that facilitate fiscal decentralization, crucial in fostering a more balanced governance structure across Liberia.
President Boakai expressed gratitude to development partners for their ongoing support towards Liberia’s decentralization initiatives.
Liberia’s 26th President stressed the importance of continued collaboration to ensure sustainable progress and effective service delivery to all Liberians.
Since the launch of the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance in 2012, the government has made strides in enhancing local decision-making and capacity development within local administrations. Despite these achievements, President Boakai acknowledged persistent challenges hindering the full realization of decentralization goals.
According to him, there is an urgent need for collective action and decisive measures to address these impediments.
President Boakai reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Liberia’s decentralization agenda for the betterment of its citizens, calling stakeholders to intensify efforts towards achieving inclusive and effective governance at all levels that will underscore the importance of coordination and collaboration in this transformative journey.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization meeting served as a pivotal moment to strategize and resolve to surmount existing challenges, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to decentralized governance and improved service delivery across the nation.
