The Center for Democratic Governance (CDG), a pro-democracy advocacy and research organization, recently completed a four-day capacity-building training for civil society organizations to raise awareness on the implementation of the Revenue Sharing Act (RSA), passed in 2021, intended to improve service delivery and enhance local government administration in Liberia.
Held separately in three of the fifteen counties, namely Bong, Grand Bassa, and Margibi, the training brought together over sixty (60) participants from marginalized sections of society, including women, youth, CSOs, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“The implementation of this law will strengthen political governance and accountability in Liberia leading to improved service delivery and development for citizens in the three counties,” said CDG’s Executive Director, George D.W. Sagbeh
Cllr. Sagbeh said the civil society groups will come under the nomenclature “Civil Society Advocacy Network.”
“The networks will be engaged in carrying out evidence-based advocacy to ensure that the county treasures are fully established and functional in line with the sharing of revenue from non-natural and natural resources with the local government,” noted Cllr Sagbeh.
He, however, disclosed that CDG, through the consortium, will continue to provide capacity support in their advocacy for the implementation of the landmark piece of law by the relevant government institutions.
He also disclosed that CDG is partnering with Naymote-Partners for Democratic Governance (Naymote-PADD) and the Center for Transparency and Accountability ina (CENTAL) to implement the project to strengthen political governance and accountability in Liberia.
“This project seeks to strengthen political accountability, transparency, and democratic governance in the country,” Cllr. Sagbeh added. “This project will increase CSOs’ oversight of equitable revenue sharing between central and local governments.”
Funding for the project comes from the government and people of Ireland through its embassy in Liberia, according to Sagbeh.
The Revenue Sharing Act was developed in line with section 4.1 of the Local Government Act (LGA), which calls for the establishment of adequate, identifiable, and reliable sources of own revenue through a revenue-sharing formula for the support of local governments.
The Act, therefore, seeks to empower the administration of local governments, spur local economic development, and improve service delivery
