By Edwin N. Khakie
Gbarnga, Bong County – In a big step towards advancing fiscal decentralization in Liberia, native authorities and key stakeholders gathered in Bong County for a two-day coverage dialogue and coaching on the Income Sharing Act.
The workshop, which commenced this week in Gbarnga, was spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance and Growth Planning (MFDP), the Governance Fee (GC), and the Liberia Income Authority (LRA), with assist from the United Nations Growth Programme (UNDP).
The occasion introduced collectively county superintendents, monetary officers, county council members, civil society representatives, youth, and scholar leaders from 5 counties—Bong, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Lofa, and River Cess—below the theme “Strengthening Residents’ Participation in Fiscal Decentralization.”
Through the opening ceremony, Cllr. Stanley S. Kparkillen, Commissioner of the Governance Fee, emphasised the significance of the dialogue in operationalizing Liberia’s fiscal decentralization targets as outlined within the Native Authorities Act of 2018.
“Because the Ministry of Inner Affairs transitions into the Ministry of Native Authorities, it’s essential to ascertain a strong structural framework,” mentioned Commissioner Kparkillen. “Key amongst these constructions is a practical revenue-sharing mechanism that allows environment friendly native governance.”
He praised the partnership among the many Ministry of Inner Affairs, MFDP, LRA, and the Governance Fee, with backing from the UNDP, for making the dialogue a actuality. He additional expressed hope that the working classes would yield sensible resolutions and make clear the roles of county administrations, county councils, and the Liberia Income Authority in managing and distributing public funds.
“Our deliberations will concentrate on the technical necessities, staffing wants, and operational requirements for managing the proposed county treasuries, which can function the spine of the revenue-sharing system,” he famous.
Contributors had been inspired to have interaction in trustworthy and constructive discussions to make sure that the workshop delivers actionable outcomes.
Talking on behalf of the Ministry of Finance and Growth Planning, Sam Ok. Flomo, Monetary Administration Officer, reiterated that the dialogue is aimed toward constructing the capability of native leaders for extra clear, authorized, and environment friendly administration of county assets.
“This initiative marks the start of a gradual shift of fiscal authority—from central authorities to native counties—empowering native leaders to gather and handle revenues,” Flomo said. “It’s a crucial step towards attaining decentralized governance.”
Echoing comparable sentiments, James A. Jaber, Assistant Commissioner for the Actual Property Tax Division on the Liberia Income Authority, harassed that income sharing is a foundational factor of fiscal decentralization. He outlined the duties county officers should undertake to make sure sound fiscal administration and coverage implementation.
He urged members to deal with the coaching critically, including, “This isn’t simply one other workshop—it’s an important a part of constructing Liberia’s capability for decentralized governance and sustainable growth.”
UNDP’s consultant, Eric Boykai, who serves because the Focal Particular person for the Liberia Decentralization Help Program, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to supporting Liberia’s decentralization journey. He emphasised that fiscal decentralization enhances citizen belief and compliance in tax methods when communities can witness the direct advantages of their contributions.
“When residents see infrastructure and providers delivered on account of their tax funds, it builds confidence in governance and motivates continued compliance,” Boykai mentioned.
Additionally current on the workshop was McNeil Mani Wilson, Program Coordinator and Supervisor on the Governance Fee, who joined different facilitators in guiding members via the framework of the Income Sharing Act and the longer term function of county-level treasuries.
The 2-day session is anticipated to conclude with suggestions and actionable methods to information the rollout of the revenue-sharing framework throughout Liberia’s counties, marking a serious milestone within the nation’s ongoing decentralization course of.
