James T. Brooks
In a landmark move for the Republic of Liberia, the Honorable Minister of Local Government, Francis Sakila Nyumalin, Sr., officially launched the National Decentralization Support Unit (NDSU) on January 19, 2026. This strategic initiative marks a transition from policy intent to actionable reform, signaling a decisive shift toward a more inclusive and localized governance model. Speaking at the Ministry of Local Government’s conference room, the Minister emphasized that the creation of the NDSU is not merely an administrative addition but a necessary catalyst for the “whole-of-government” transformation required to bring governance closer to the people.
The NDSU is established to address a critical gap identified since the passage of the Local Government Act of 2018. While the Act provided the legal scaffolding for political, administrative, and fiscal decentralization, the Minister noted that laws and institutions alone are insufficient. The NDSU will now serve as the central technical and coordination hub, ensuring that various sector Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) work in harmony rather than in isolation. By harmonizing these efforts, the Unit aims to create a sequence of reforms that are mutually reinforcing, preventing the fragmentation that often hinders large-scale national transitions.
Central to the Minister’s address was the clarification that the NDSU does not override the existing mandates of other government sectors. Instead, it functions under the policy leadership of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization (IMCD) and the operational oversight of the Program Management Board (PMB) to provide technical support and monitoring. Its primary functions include coordinating decentralization programs, supporting capacity development at the county level, and ensuring that all sector-specific policies remain aligned with the 2018 Local Government Act. Minister Nyumalin stressed that participation from all government sectors is essential, as every agency is a co-owner of this national agenda.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that for decentralization to be sustainable, it must be backed by financial empowerment. He underscored a vital provision of the 2018 Act: that when responsibilities are devolved to local authorities, the corresponding financial resources must follow. To this end, the Minister issued a formal call to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to appoint the Local Government Fiscal Board. This board is intended to act as the financial backbone of the movement, providing a controlled pathway for county fiscal autonomy while maintaining national stability and integrity.
The launch of the NDSU represents the “heartbeat” of the current administration’s vision for a resilient and decentralized Liberia. By fostering collaboration and demanding shared accountability, the government aims to ensure that service delivery is improved and that the benefits of governance are felt in every corner of the country. As the NDSU begins its work, the focus remains on building a system where decentralization is not only affordable and accountable but ultimately irreversible.
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