The Honorable House of Representatives (HOR) has summoned officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Ministry of Transport (MOT), and the Department of Vital Statistics to address pressing issues concerning decentralization and local governance.
This summons, issued by the Press Bureau on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, follows a communication from Maryland County District # 2 Representative, Anthony F. Williams.
Representative Anthony Williams highlighted ongoing difficulties faced by rural Liberians in accessing essential services such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, marriage certificates, business registrations from the Liberia Business Registry, land deeds, and payment of revenue into government accounts due to the non-functionality of various County Service Centers (CSCs).
“Honorable Speaker and esteemed colleagues, the establishment of County Service Centers in Liberia was meant to address critical challenges related to governance, decentralization, and service accessibility,” stated Representative Williams.
He emphasized that Liberia’s historical centralized governance system had hindered popular participation and local development, making it difficult for rural residents to access vital government services.
In his statement, Rep. Williams pointed out that the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance, launched in 2012, along with the Local Government Act enacted in 2018, were significant steps aimed at addressing these issues.
These policies were designed to bring governance closer to the people, promote citizen participation, and ensure equitable resource distribution.
“The service centers offer prospects for improved governance as they symbolize decentralization in Liberia and act as platforms for social cohesion between citizens and the government.
Additionally, the centers contribute to domestic resource mobilization by generating revenue. When citizens can access services conveniently, it fosters trust and engagement with the government,” the Pleebo Lawmaker added.
Representative Williams argued that the County Service Centers were intended to decentralize essential services, allowing citizens to obtain necessary documents and services without having to travel to Monrovia. However, the current non-functionality of these centers has created significant barriers, particularly for those in rural areas.
In response to these concerns, the HOR has scheduled a plenary session for next Thursday, during which time officials from the MIA, LRA, MOT, and the Department of Vital Statistics will be expected to provide explanations and solutions regarding the operational status of the County Service Centers.
The lawmakers are particularly interested in understanding the reasons behind the centers’ inactivity and exploring ways to ensure that these vital hubs for public service delivery are brought back to full functionality.
The session aims to address these systemic issues and outline a clear path forward for the effective implementation of decentralization policies.
The upcoming plenary session is seen as a crucial step towards reinforcing Liberia’s commitment to decentralization and improving local governance.
By holding the relevant authorities accountable, the HOR hopes to enhance service delivery, ensure more equitable access to government services, and strengthen the overall relationship between citizens and the state.
This move is expected to have significant implications for local governance in Liberia, potentially revitalizing the CSCs and ensuring they fulfill their intended role in the national governance framework.
The session is highly anticipated by both lawmakers and citizens, who are eager to see concrete actions taken to address these long-standing challenges.
The HOR’s decision to summon these key ministries and agencies underscores the importance of decentralization in Liberia’s development agenda.
