By Stephen N. Tokpah
-Bong (freelance)
The Liberia Initiative for Developmental Services (LIDS) through the Local Empowerment for Accountability and Decentralization (LEAD) is rolling out a new project in Bong County.
The Program introducing the Project titled, “Civil Society Advocacy to Improve Domestic Revenue Mobilization, Budget Transparency, and Local Development and Service Delivery in Bong County and Gbarnga City” with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was held over the weekend at the Gbarnga Administration Building.
Speaking at the launch of the project, LIDS Executive Director Morris Wamah, said the project seeks to enhance citizens’ capacities on the Local Government Act, sharpening their participation skills in domestic revenue mobilization, and service delivery at the community level in Bong County.
He averred that the project expects a significant increase in budget transparency through the inclusion of local leaders into budgetary processes and decision-making to ensure the quality delivery of basic social services in rural Liberia.
Wamah said this first phase of the project targets several communities in five administrative districts in Bong County, including Kpaai, Jorquelleh 1&2, Zota, and Sanoyea, respectively.
In remarks, the Citizens Participation Officer at LEAD, Albert Thompson, encouraged residents of the project communities to take advantage of the project if they should be included in the national decision-making processes of our country.
He expressed hope that when the project is completed, residents of the beneficiary communities will have a broad-based knowledge of government functionaries, especially at the community level.
The day-long event brought together over fifty stakeholders, including commissioners, paramount and clan chiefs, youths and women leaders, local NGOs, and Bong County Superintendent, Hawa Norris, amongst others.
They extended commendations to LEAD and its implementing partners for the initiative, describing it as “an eye-opener” and promised to take ownership of the project.
