By Precious D. Freeman
Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL), with support from the Tax Justice Network for Africa, hosted a significant one-day dialogue aimed at gathering stakeholder insights to enhance national policies for boosting domestic revenue mobilization and curbing illicit financial flows.
The event which was held yesterday, brought together government officials, civil society organizations, and various stakeholders to discuss strategies that could underpin Liberia’s economic development.
Opening the event, IWL Program Director, Navin Ireland, emphasized the organization’s collaborative efforts with the Liberian Legislature since 2021.
He highlighted the crucial role played by River Gee County Senator Francis Dopoh in establishing the African Parliamentary Network on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation (APNIFFT).
Ireland remarked on the caucus’s ongoing commitment to promoting legislative measures designed to mitigate illicit financial flows while advocating for increased domestic revenue generation.
He pointed out that IWL has been working closely with APNIFFT to review critical legislative instruments, including concession agreements, to ensure that they align with the goal of reducing illicit financial outflows.
He noted that enhancing transparency and accountability in financial management is essential for the sustainable development of Liberia.
Nimba County Senator Nya D. Twayen lauded his colleagues for their bipartisan support of a legislation focused on increasing domestic revenue mobilization.
“The Senate must be sophisticated and results-driven,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for immediate action to improve the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
Twayen urged the Senate, comprised of highly experienced individuals, to leverage their expertise to enact meaningful changes that would elevate the lives of the Liberian people.
Twayen expressed his determination to advocate for the passage of amendments to the Liberian Revenue Code before the 2025 national budget is finalized.
He highlighted that these amendments would adjust tax brackets to reflect the realities of inflation, ultimately providing relief to low- and middle-income earners.
Senator Dopoh, the lead advocate for six proposed amendments, elaborated on his motivation rooted in a robust background in tax collection.
He detailed the proposed amendments, including the Personal Income Tax, Export Proceeds Repatriation Act, Tax Administration Transfer Act, Demurrage Income Tax Act, National Rent Control Act, and the National Civil Education Commission Act.
Dopoh emphasized that these legislative changes are designed to alleviate the financial burden on a significant portion of the citizenry.
“Today, we expect stakeholders to engage actively and provide constructive feedback on these amendments,” Dopoh stated.
He underscored the potential impact of these measures on low and middle-income earners, as well as renters and property owners, allowing them to have a fairer share of national resources.
Montserrado County Superintendent Whory Bryant, also expressed support for IWL and the senators’ efforts in championing these critical amendments.
He pointed out that the lack of localized resources has hindered development in many communities. “The reason why grass is overtaking most of our townships is due to a lack of localization and resources,” he noted.
Bryant expressed optimism that the proposed amendments would streamline access to national resources, fostering local development and economic resilience.
The daylong dialogue featured various sessions, allowing participants to discuss the implications of the proposed legislative changes in greater detail.
Participants were encouraged to share their perspectives on how to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the amendments once passed.
The dialogue attracted numerous government officials from line ministries, agencies, and commissions, alongside members of the Liberian Senate and representatives from civil society organizations.
The event exemplified a collective commitment to strengthening Liberia’s fiscal landscape, fostering transparency, and promoting national development initiatives that prioritize the welfare of its citizens.
As discussions progressed, stakeholders emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the government and civil society to address challenges related to tax policy and revenue generation.
Many participants expressed hope that the outcomes of the dialogue would lead to actionable recommendations and foster a culture of accountability in the management of national resources.
The day concluded with a call to action, urging all stakeholders to remain engaged in the legislative process and advocate for policies that would create a more equitable and prosperous Liberia.
The dialogue represents a crucial step toward building a sustainable economic future for the country, aligning with IWL’s vision of fostering integrity and accountability in governance.
