Bentol, Montserrado – Lawmakers and chiefs attending a two-day high level consultation have raised serious concern about the implementation of the Local Governance Policy currently being discussed with stakeholders and locals across the country.
Report by: Willie N. Tokpah – [email protected]
The Local Governance Act is aimed at decentralizing government’s operation to rural parts of the country, thus enabling the citizens themselves to be involved with the operation of the governance structure through the provision of a service center.
There are some service centers already being setup in some counties as a means of easing the difficulties faced by inhabitants of hard-to-reach areas in processing documents.
But one key issue that has sparked out debate among locals, especially chiefs and lawmakers representing rural sectors and the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the restructuring of cities in various counties according to the require standards and the election of superintendents, as some of the locals and lawmakers see the process as a witch-hunt.
Lawmakers including Representative Numene T. H. Bartekwa of Grand Kru County and Sinoe County Representative Jeremiah W. N. McCauley believe that reduction in cities that do not meet the set standard will take away their jobs, while at the same time some lawmakers have argued that the election of superintendents will make them (superintendents) more powerful and might take their legislative respect away.
Speaking during the forum in Bentol City, Montserrado County over the weekend, they maintained that it will be good if the cities within their jurisdiction are not reduced since, there is not much support given them.
Representative McCauley expressed disappointment over the refusal of government to not provide the requisite benefits for chiefs who are working tirelessly.
“Our Chiefs are working but getting the benefit is difficult. If you satisfied our chiefs, we will pass the act”, said Representative McCauley.
Representative McCauley also described boundary harmonization as a serious problem to lawmakers and local government officials, citing those working under the supervision of the President are in the behavior of disrespecting lawmakers.
Moreover, he disagreed with resolution read by panelists at the boundary harmonization program, pointing out that the document did not meet the knowledge of some counties’ participants, describing it as a Montserrado County based resolution.
On the other hand, River Gee County District Number One Representative Johnson Toe Chea and Prince Tokpah of Nimba County District Number Two, said the act is in good direction and will provide a fair governance process.
Representative Tokpah called for the involvement of citizens, noting that locals do not understand concession agreements in the country.
“If you are crafting such document, the people must be involved. In fact, it’s bad to note that the citizens do not understand how most of the concessions are carried out,” Representative Tokpah opined.
This, according to him, leads to delay of most documents at the Capitol, emphasizing the need for clauses within the act to be carefully reviewed for the safety of future generation.
Representatives Chea and Tokpah however called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide the requisite funding that will foster the implementation of the local governance act.
The two lawmakers said a clear scrutiny of the Local Governance Act by the Legislature will pave the way for successful government function in various counties across Liberia.
For his part, Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Urban Affairs, Stephen Y. Neufville expressed delight over lawmakers’ participation at the forum.
He reminded lawmakers that the conference is geared towards considering possible passage of the Local Governance Act into Law.
“We are about to make a change in our country. There was a unitary system in Liberia since its founding and the Local Governance Bill will decentralize government activities from being centered in Monrovia,” Minister Neufville told the gathering.
According to him, the passage of the act will enable local authorities to identify needs of rural dwellers instead of waiting on central government.
The symposium brought together members of the legislature, chiefs, and local authorities from various counties to discuss the size of Liberia’s local government structure and initiatives to rationalize or right-size it.