Monrovia – Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has stressed the importance of balancing bureaucratic procedures with progress, urging a more pragmatic approach as the government moves to finalize the National Development Plan and the 2025 National Budget.
By Blamo N. Toe & Gibson Gee
Speaking in Monrovia at a recent engagement with officials from the Ministries of Finance, Internal Affairs, and County Legislative Caucuses, Minister Ngafuan emphasized the urgency of meeting the November 30 deadline for the formulation of the new ARREST Agenda. This agenda, set to replace former President George Weah’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), focuses on key sectors: Agriculture, Road Infrastructure, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
“We will not allow bureaucracy to stand in the way of progress,” Ngafuan asserted during his address to lawmakers and government officials. “Sometimes you want to follow every procedural formality, but that could slow down progress. At times, you have to be practical and push forward.”
The engagement is part of a broader consultation with county officials and lawmakers to ensure local priorities are reflected in national policies. Ngafuan stressed the importance of aligning the National Development Agenda, County Development Agendas (CDAs), and the 2025 National Budget to create synergy and avoid resource wastage.
Highlighting past failures to synchronize local and national planning, Ngafuan said the government is determined to bridge this gap. “We need to create stronger linkages between the national and county development plans,” he said.
The Minister cautioned against allowing excessive focus on procedures to derail the country’s development efforts, urging flexibility to move Liberia forward. “Perfection can become the enemy of progress. What we need is a practical document that reflects the development priorities of the people,” Ngafuan stated.
He emphasized the importance of listening to local voices while ensuring their demands align with national objectives. “People in Monrovia often plan for the counties, but the counties can think for themselves too. The challenge is merging national priorities with county needs, ensuring they don’t lose sight of the broader national interest,” he explained, noting that local projects sometimes lack economic viability.
The ARREST Agenda, a flagship initiative of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, is viewed as a roadmap to foster inclusive development, particularly in key areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, law, education, sanitation, and tourism.
Ngafuan noted that further consultations with sectoral ministries and other government stakeholders would follow to ensure that both the development plan and budget align with local and national goals. “We want the budget to speak to the County Development Agendas,” he added, stressing the need for a unified approach to benefit all counties.
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