The House of Representatives has cited authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Transport, and Head of the Department of Vital Statistics responsible for Birth Certificates to clarify issues of Decentralization and Local Governance across the country.
Decision was triggered by a communication from Maryland County District # 2 Representative, Anthony F. Williams.
Representative Williams alleged the continuous challenges Liberians in rural Liberia encountered in obtaining basic services such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, marriage certificates, Business Registration from the Liberia Business Registry, land deeds and payment of revenue into GOL accounts as a result of the various County Service Center not being functional.
“Honorable Speaker and esteemed colleagues, it will interest you to note that the rationale behind the establishment of County Service Centers- CSCs in Liberia was multifaceted and aimed to address critical challenges related to governance, decentralization, and service accessibility”, he stated.
According to him, Liberia has historically faced challenges due to a centralized governance system, which hindered popular participation and local development as a result rural residents often struggled to access essential government services.
He said the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance (launched in 2012) and subsequent enactment of the Local Government Act (in 2018) aimed to address such issues by taking governance closer to the people in rural areas, promote citizen participation, and ensure equitable resource distribution.
“The service centers offer prospects for improved governance, as they symbolize decentralization in Liberia and act as platforms for social cohesion between citizens and the government. Additionally, the center contributes to domestic resource mobilization by generating revenue. When citizens can access services conveniently, it fosters trust and engagement with the government”, the Pleebo Lawmaker averred.
Meanwhile, authorities of the line Ministry and Agencies of government are expected to appear before plenary next week Thursday.
