U.S. Gov’t Pledges Support To Decentralization In Liberia
The Director for Democracy and Governance at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged the American government’s commitment to support the decentralization policies of Liberia.
Director Emiliy Krunic stated that carving inclusive policies in the future will support a more developed, prosperous and democratic Liberia.
Director Krunic made the remarks Wednesday at a Liberia Accountability and Voice Initiative (LAVI) Natural Resource Management (NRM) Coalition high-level policy on County Social Development Funds Reform held at local hotel.
According to her, the passage of Section 9 Amendments to the 2018-2019 Budget Law by the Liberian Legislature and signed by President George Manneh Weah marks an important milestone for the partnership with USAID.
She pointed out that while Budget Laws are routinely amended, these changes were of particular importance to the future of Liberia.
Director Krunic maintained that they support a number of shared USAID and Liberian Government goals, while advancing more inclusive and responsive governance.
She disclosed that these amendments support the government overall policy framework on decentralization, local governance and reconciliation through increased participation of rural citizens in decision-making around development that affects their daily lives.
The USAID official explained that under the amendments, citizens, civil society organizations and local government officials are expected to play a proactive role in managing county Social Development Funds which support the underlying principle of decentralization.
Director Krunic stressed that the amendments strengthen accountability and transparency measures and thus signal an evolution in how Liberia’s natural resources can more effectively and directly contribute to the development of the nation.
LINA
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