By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
Monrovia– The Internal Affairs Ministry has launched the County Development Planning Units for six Countries.
The launch of the Units took place at a ceremony held in Gbarbga, the capital city of Liberia’s central Bong County on Monday, December 9, 2024.
It was followed by a five-day training, which served as a critical first step in establishing County Development Planning Units in six targeted counties: Bong, Nimba, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, and Lofa.
Officials said that the important training initiative was designed to enhance the technical capabilities of local government Staff and Development Planning Units in the Country.
The training focuses on empowering participants to effectively track, monitor, and report progress related to the County Development Agenda (CDA).
It underscores the Ministry’s commitment to promoting sustainable development in Liberia, emphasizing the integration of gender considerations into all county-level development processes.
By prioritizing gender inclusivity, the Ministry says this is also aimed to create an environment that empowers all community members and fosters equitable development.
The County Development Planning Units are expected to play a pivotal role in coordinating development efforts, ensuring that local needs and priorities are addressed effectively.
Speaking on behalf of Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin at the opening of a week-long initiative, the Deputy Minister for Research and Development Planning, Edward Mulbah called on the National legislature to allocate and increase budgetary support to counties, districts, and chiefdoms through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to Minister Mulbah, the idea for the Ministry for the fiscal year is estimated at $46 million, but the draft budget carries $25 million, thus, appealing to the legislature to step up the ministry budget to accelerate the decentralization programs.
He maintained that they can address Liberia under development if they bring sincere commitment, hard work, dedication, and combat corruption to the work each of them do in supporting the president.
Deputy Minister Mulbah challenged participants, mostly superintendents, to widen the space for job creation, invest in agriculture, strengthen the education system by developing digital connectivity, and build climate resilience at both local and national levels.
“My colleagues, I am challenging you to focus on strategic and inclusive priorities of the counties. Work towards strengthening the institutional capacity, enhance systems of accountability, and implement projects that will yield tangible and transformative results and advance decentralization initiatives and find innovative ways to solve problems,” he said.
“In his conclusion, and on behalf of Minister Nyumalin, herewith direct all superintendents to explore means for vacation jobs and scholarships for youth and beneficiaries of these opportunities should be encouraged to provide Community services, including teaching market women and other needed Community residents.”
“By building technical skills and promoting gender inclusivity, we are laying the groundwork for the effective implementation of the County Development Agenda, ultimately improving the quality of life for all Liberians,”
The Deputy Internal Affairs Minister thanked UN Women, UNDP and other partners for supporting the initiatives.
There are over 350 local government appointees and officials, including chiefs, who are still not on government payroll.
UNDP on critical intervention of the Units
In remarks, UNDP Officer in Charge Eric Boykai noted that the initiative is also aimed at accomplishing critical interventions enshrined in the LGA, the Local Government Act, 10-year implementation plan, which endeavors to foster sustainable development through more localized and tailored approaches that resonate well with the diverse needs of different regions.
The local government development planning units, according to Boykai, will serve as a critical instrument for promoting accountability by facilitating efficient resource allocation and serve as a repository of socioeconomic data, which will inform development planning and research activities.
The UNDP Office in Charge maintained that it would enable local and national governments to capture the aspirations and challenges of citizens while ensuring that development projects reflect the real needs of the people at the grassroots level.
He encourages the initiative to be a part of a tough approach that fosters synergy between local government units, citizens, and development partners that reflect the priority of the community. Of the people.
Their generous contributions have played a critical role in enhancing good governments, improving service delivery and civic engagement, and fostering sustainable development. Together, we have made significant strides in ensuring that resources and decision-making processes are more accessible to those who need them the most”
For his part, Gender Deputy Minister for Research and Planning, Curtis V. Dorley noted that the creation of Development Planning Units is not just an administrative procedure but a transformative approach to local governance.
According to Minister Dorley, the Units serve as critical bridges between national development strategies and country-specific priorities by ensuring that local development programs are strategically aligned with both the national plan and county agenda.
The training is held under the theme of Building New Liberia through Decentralization.