A majority of Liberians harbor deep mistrust toward local government authorities’ ability to manage revenues effectively, with concerns over transparency, corruption, and service delivery dominating public sentiment, a new Afrobarometer survey has revealed.
The survey, conducted in July and August 2024, sheds light on the critical question facing decentralization efforts in Liberia: Can local governments handle locally generated revenues responsibly to meet citizens’ expectations for development and accountability?
The findings, released by the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG), a local partner to Afrobarometer, paint a stark picture of skepticism. Nearly 63% of respondents expressed little or no trust in their local governments to utilize local revenues for improving development. Moreover, an overwhelming majority—eight in 10 citizens—believe that much of the revenue entrusted to county governments will likely be lost to corruption.
The survey, which interviewed 1,200 adult Liberians face-to-face in their preferred languages, provides a sobering assessment of public confidence in local governance just two years after the enactment of the Revenue Sharing Act of July 2022. The act, heralded as a landmark policy to decentralize government and empower local authorities, aimed to use local revenues to create jobs, support trade, and address inequalities through development initiatives like the Equalization Fund.
Distrust and corruption concerns
Presenting the findings in Monrovia, Elkanah Y. Taylor, Afrobarometer program coordinator, highlighted the public’s lack of faith in local government authorities. “The survey reveals a widespread perception that local resources entrusted to county governments are highly vulnerable to graft,” Taylor stated.
A staggering 46% of respondents said “a lot” of local revenue would be lost to corruption, while another 34% said “some” would likely be mismanaged. These concerns, Taylor noted, undermine support for the very decentralization measures designed to strengthen local governance.
Despite the mistrust, three-quarters (76%) of Liberians agree that counties should retain a portion of locally generated revenues for development purposes. Furthermore, 71% of respondents believe that allowing voters to elect county superintendents, rather than appointing them through presidential decree, could boost public participation and enhance accountability.
However, the survey also revealed lingering support for the current system of presidential appointments, with 56% of respondents maintaining that it has served the country well.
This split in opinion underscores the complexity of decentralization in Liberia, where citizens demand greater accountability and participation but remain cautious about changing longstanding governance structures.
Revenue Sharing Act Faces Public Scrutiny
The 2022 Revenue Sharing Act was enacted to promote local economic development and equalize opportunities across regions by allocating resources based on a structured formula. The act replaced the outdated Consolidated Fund established in 2000, introducing a Local Government Fiscal Board appointed by the President to recommend grant allocations to sub-national governments.
Two years later, the act’s implementation is under scrutiny as public trust in local authorities remains alarmingly low. Citizens worry that without significant reforms, local governments will continue to fall short in delivering development services, responding to local needs, and managing resources transparently.
As Liberia continues its journey toward decentralization, the Afrobarometer survey serves as a critical reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. Without addressing the pervasive concerns of corruption and mistrust, the goals of the Revenue Sharing Act—to empower local authorities and improve citizens’ quality of life—may remain out of reach.
With nearly 63% of Liberians expressing mistrust in their local governments, the call for systemic reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation has never been louder. Whether through electoral reforms or improved oversight mechanisms, the government faces an urgent mandate to bridge the gap between policy aspirations and public confidence.
For now, the question lingers: Can Liberia’s local governance system rise to meet the expectations of its people?
