Government of Liberia, Partners, Conduct Validation for Draft Zoning Law for Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia (GOL), in partnership with the World Bank, will on Monday, October 21, 2024, begin validating the recently drafted Zoning Act for Liberia. The exercise will take place at the Mamba Point Hotel in Monrovia.

The draft legislation, introduced by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) through the World Bank-financed Liberia Urban Resilience Project (LURP), is intended to address the numerous challenges and limitations presented by the current Zoning Law of Liberia, enacted in 1958. The draft law, when ratified by the Legislature, will promote efficient and effective land development and management in Liberia and help to address the many zoning issues presently confronting the country.

According to a release, Monday’s validation workshop presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate on this milestone national initiative through engaging in a thorough review process that will contribute to strengthening the document. The exercise will bring together hundreds of stakeholders from across government, including representatives from municipalities across the country and those from government ministries and agencies whose functions impact land development and urbanization either directly or indirectly. Liberia’s biliteral partners, including the World Bank, are also expected to participate in the exercise, as well as the private sector, civil society, and ordinary Liberians.

The revision of the Zoning Law is among several urban policy reform initiatives and landmark infrastructure investments anticipated under the LURP. Launched in June 2023, the project aims to address Liberia’s pressing challenges related to flooding, climate risks, and urban management deficiencies through a US$40 million World Bank endowment. The project will invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce flooding, climate risks, and increase access to basic services in Monrovia, in line with the government’s ARREST Agenda, while also enhancing urban management capacities. 

The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) is leading implementation of the project with the support of various government ministries, agencies, and townships. Stakeholders, include the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), alongside the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), the Liberia Land Authority, and the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services.