GC welcomes Local Government Bill passage

The Governance Commission (GC) says it heartedly welcomes and is greatly gratified by the passage of the Local Government Bill, and adoption of the Constitutional Amendment Proposition by the House of Representatives.

In a press release Tuesday, 27 September the GC congratulates the House of Representatives for the attainment of “these historic milestones” and thanks Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue and the Chairman and former Chairman of the House Joint Committees on Good Governance and Government Reform; Judiciary; Internal Affairs; and Ways, Means, Finance and Development Planning.

The Commission also calls on the Liberian Senate to act expeditiously in the passage of the Local Government Act (LGA), and adoption of the Constitutional Amendment Proposition in view of the fact that many Senators, including President Pro-Tempore of the Senate ArmahJallah are already champions of these pieces of legislation.
The release says the Local Government Act when passed by the Senate will provide the legal basis for full implementation of the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance, promulgated by the Government of Liberia in 2012.

“The Act will provide legal basis for the establishment of local government institutions such as county and district councils clothed with specified authority and increase the participation of citizens at the local level in service delivery to local communities. The establishment of County Service Centers is one aspect of decentralization which is currently underway”, the GC says.
At the same time, the Governance Commission commends the House for the passage last week of the Land Authority Act, while requesting the august body to also consider the passage of the draft Land Rights Act without which the Land Authority Act is diminished in force and effect. Press release