Naymote Partners for Democratic Development is calling on the Liberian government to quickly implement the new Revenue Sharing Regulations, arguing that strong leadership and political will are essential for achieving inclusive national development.
The regulations, issued by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning on August 27, 2024, are a first for Liberia. They establish a framework for sharing revenue from both natural and non-natural resources between the central government and county administrations, giving local governments significant control over their own finances for the first time in the nation’s history.
According to Naymote, the successful rollout of this policy could transform service delivery, bolster county development, and advance the government’s ARREST Agenda. However, the organization cautioned that without decisive action, the initiative risks being nothing more than a document.
“Citizens have waited too long for fiscal decentralization. Every delay undermines development at the local level and fuels frustration among communities,” said Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote. “The government must match its commitments with action and ensure transparency and accountability in the rollout of these regulations. Liberia cannot afford another decade of promises without action on fiscal decentralization.”
To fast-track the process, Naymote outlined several key recommendations:
- Establish the Local Government Fiscal Board to oversee grants and ensure fair distribution of resources.
- Open transitory accounts at the Central Bank for all local administrations to increase transparency in revenue transfers.
- Strengthen county treasuries with robust procurement, auditing, and financial management systems.
- Activate the Equalization Fund at the Central Bank, as legally mandated, to channel resources to underserved communities.
The organization reminded the government that Liberia’s highly centralized governance system, which has been in place since 1847, has historically excluded citizens from decision-making, a factor that contributed to the country’s civil conflict from 1990 to 2003. Naymote emphasized that decentralization is not optional but is essential for sustaining peace, improving services, and returning power to the people.
This call for action follows a recent dialogue in Bentol, Montserrado County, where citizens expressed their frustration over delays in implementing the regulations. Naymote urged the government to adhere to existing legal frameworks, including the Revenue Code, Public Financial Management Act, Procurement and Concessions Law, and the Local Government Act, to ensure accountability and transparency.
Founded in 2001, Naymote is a leading civil society organization dedicated to advocating for accountable governance, political accountability, and citizen participation in Liberia.
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