Monrovia- President Joseph Boakai has instructed the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to implement the Revenue Sharing Act, the act that calls for the retention of 40 percent of the revenue generated at every county’s service centers across the country.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) [email protected]
Speaking Thursday, June 3, 2024, at the program marking the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization (IMCD) Meeting held at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, President Boakai says such policy is aimed at eliminating what he termed as old age challenges county service centers are face with.
“The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning should begin to implement the revenue sharing act chapter 7.2 which calls for the retention of 40 percent of all revenue generated from counties service centers. It will help to address the old age challenges that have impeded effective and efficient operation of our county service centers, President Boakai said.
The Liberian leader also called on all sector ministries, agencies, commissions related to the county service centers to assign individuals residing in counties, something he says will enhance the work at every county’s service centers across the country.
“This is intended to ensure adequate and timely service delivery and to reduce the cost to travel to Monrovia to obtain signatory to complete whatever documentation,” he said.
President Boakai added: “I want to thank the leadership of MAC and to encourage them to strengthen coordination among themselves so as to contribute to our decentralization program.”
“Furthermore, to our development partners, we are very grateful to you for your continued commitment over the years in support of our Decentralization program. We also seek your full collaboration and coordination as we continue this journey in the best interest of the citizens of Liberia,” he ended.
Also speaking, the Director General of Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Dorbor Jallah stressed that country service centers across the country are a potential source of revenue.
The real properties, business license fee, fees and charges for lawyers, fees and charges for public services. Revenue generated from places of access, fine for violation. If you put all these together we will be able to achieve local revenue.
According to him, the LRA intends to work and strengthen the local economy to collect the necessary taxes.
“We will enhance the authority of these counties, issue the bills and collect the intended revenue. It is going to be a big start,” Mr. Jallah said.
The LRA boss added: “We will educate taxpayers to enhance compliance. We have started our pilot project in Grand Bassa and Margibi County.”
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