InfoQuest Liberia has termed a welcoming development the passage of the Ministry of Local government act by the Liberian Senate.
InfoQuest Liberia as one of the major civil society organizations that has been in the vanguard of the advocacy campaign for said passage stated that the latest move by the Liberian Senate is commendable and will now set the pace of returning power to the locals in a transparent and accountable manner and form.
According to the Acting Executive Director of InfoQuest, Ezekiel Allen, the legal instrument upon signature into Hand bill by the President will among other things empower the local to directly participate in their decision making processes which will help promote inclusive governance and development initiatives across the fifth Counties.
Over the period, InfoQuest advocacy called for the total involvement of the locals in decision making especially identifying their priority needs including taking direct ownership of their governance processes as well as the raising and managing of their own resources with focus on transparency and accountability.
With support from the UNDP through the Liberia Decentralization Support program, InfoQuest Liberia as part of its campaign held several stakeholders meetings and dialogues aimed at increasing advocacy for the passage of the Ministry of Local Government something that is now a reality today.
InfoQuest through its Acting Executive Director Ezekiel Allen also commended the UNDP for such meaningful support to their campaign that has now yielded positive fruits through its advocacy evidence of the passage of the Ministry of Local Government.
Mr. Allen at the same time hailed the sustained and courageous efforts of legislative champions both from the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate who he stressed work tirelessly with their colleagues, creating the necessary awareness and education as well as legislative procedures ans processes in order to ensure the final passage of the Act today.
“We are grateful and you people have set a new record and will be recording in the history of the Country especially in the promotion of Decentralization activities with focus on returning power to the people including direct ownership”, he re-emphasized.
As part of the House of elders decision, the Liberian Senate following a thorough review process repealed the act establishing the Ministry of internal Affairs thereby passing the act to create and establish in its stead the Ministry of local government, consistent with the local government Act of 2018 to give effect to and implement the provisions of the local government Act which devolves more power and authority to local governments and enables more participants of citizens and local authorities in the governance of the country.
According to the decision by the Liberian Senate, Notwithstanding the repealed of the act establishing the Internal Affairs Ministry, any contract, order, decision or anything made or done by the Ministry of Internal Affairs before the coming into force of this at which was done by the Ministry of Internal Affairs before the coming into force of this act which was duly authorized in keeping with the repealed and amended Acts and executive orders shall be valid and continue to be in full force and effect as if made or done under the act.
Among other things, The new Ministry of local government shall be responsible for providing executive oversight of local governments, specifically in their: Management of balanced, Socio-economic development programs, empowerment of local communities, strengthening the delivery of social services, and the promotion and delivery of good governance, including popular participation, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and access to justice at local levels.
Additionally, It shall be responsible also for providing executive oversight of peace building, promotion of reconciliation, local cohesion, and national unification and integration to ensure sustainable peace, development, and political stability.
InfoQuest through its Acting Executive Director described the timely move by the Liberian Senate as a new day for the locals and therefore used the occasion to call on them to make maximun use of the opportunity and to take ownership of it for the better of all rural dwellers.
