Monrovia- Authorities in four Counties have all reasons to smile, as the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning, MFDP have begun the creation of payment vouchers and printing of checks in these Counties.
The Counties include Nimba, Bong, Margibi and Grand Bassa.
During the week, for the first time in the history of Liberia, the MFDP says it produced the first vouchers and printed checks for the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Health at the County Service Centers (CSCs) in Nimba and Bong Counties. Similar exercises will be carried out at the CSCs in Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties, respectively before the end of the week.
A press release from the Internal Affairs Ministry, in its capacity as Coordinator for Deconcentration quotes the MDFP as saying the printing of checks at the County level is part of the County Treasury Framework.
The County Treasury Framework is a fiscal Deconcentration activity that supports financial transactions to be done exclusively in the counties other than allowing local leaders or technicians to come to Monrovia to engage in financial transactions.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry has disclosed that the budgets for the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Health for fiscal year 2016/2017 have been disaggregated and well-structured in the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS).
“In essence, these two entities will now have the opportunity to do transactions in the Counties as it pertains goods and services in the 2016/2017 budget”.
Mr. Romeo D.N. Gbartea, Director of the Fiscal Decentralization Union at the MDFP emphasized.
Authorizes of the benefiting counties have begun celebrating the effort, describing it as a breath of air of relief from the stress of traveling to Monrovia in pursuit of Vouchers and checks.
Hon. Fatu Sumo, Assistant Superintendent for Fiscal Affairs of Bong County has expressed excitement for the initiative as was indicated in her post on social media on Wednesday.
“Decentralization here we come, Bong County goes live. We are now printing GOL Checks, we don’t have to travel to Monrovia for payment.
Thanks to the Government of Liberia for this development. Thanks also to the “IFMIS Team” and Treasury Framework”. Hon. Sumo cheered.
Implementation of the Liberia Decentralization Support Program (LDSP) is funded by the European Union, Swedish Government, USAID, UNMIL and UNDP.
