Monrovia – As part of efforts to implement the New Urban Agenda and the SDGs in Liberia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, has launched the draft National Urban Policy (NUP).
By J. H. Webster Clayeh, [email protected]
The launch, which was held at the Monrovia City Hall, brought together various stakeholders and partners in the urban sector, including the Council of Mayors, superintendents, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Engineering Society of Liberia, Liberia Land Authority, Liberia Institute of Architecture, Ministry of Public Works, and Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
The forum highlighted the progress made in the formation of a National Urban Policy for Liberia, a process that started in 2016. The challenges faced by the urban sector were strongly emphasized by the many city administrators in attendance.
Internal Affairs Assistant Minister for Administration, Momolu Johnson, gave a special statement on behalf of the Internal Affairs Minister, Varney A. Sirleaf.
Johnson emphasized the importance of developing a national urban policy for Liberia, stating that it is necessary to first evaluate the current urbanization opportunities and challenges and formulate long- and short-term solutions to leverage opportunities and mitigate possible challenges for a better and prosperous future.
Assistant Minister Johnson further stated that the government is putting forth efforts to provide the best opportunity for achieving resilient and sustainable urbanization by linking sectoral policies and connecting national, regional, and local government policies, strengthening urban, peri-urban, and rural links through integrated territorial development.
He reminded the mayors attending the forum that in 2022, Liberia’s urban population comprised 53.1% of the country’s total population of approximately 5.2 million.
He said: “As of 2015, the urban population was estimated to be 50% of the country’s total population, with an annual urban population growth rate of 4.7%.”
He added that the capital city, Monrovia, grew to more than 1.6 million people in 2022 and now comprises more than 40% of Liberia’s urban population in the greater Monrovia area.
Abubakar Bah is the Assistant Minister for Urban Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Presenting on “The Development Process and Progress of the National Urban Policy,” Bah emphasized that the urban sector encounters many challenges that are difficult to mitigate.
He said the urban policy forum is intended to promote sustainable urban development in Liberia.
According to Assistant Minister Bah, the urbanization policy should not only focus on Monrovia and Paynesville, but also on other cities in the country, which need financial support to ensure that there is an urbanization plan for sustainable urban development, with the involvement of all stakeholders.
Bah added: “The coming into being of the National Revenue-Sharing Act and the identification of other sources of revenue will ensure that every city is empowered.”
Also at the event, the NUP Consultant, Bindu Taylor-Brewer, illustrated a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the final draft of the National Urban Policy.
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