Published: February 4, 2026
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia — Grand Kru County Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa has commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for announcing plans to submit additional priority legislation to the Legislature, including a bill to establish a National Planning Commission and to disaggregate the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).
The senator described the move as evidence of a listening and visionary presidency, noting that it aligns with his long-standing advocacy for separating development planning from public finance in order to strengthen national development coordination, budgeting discipline, and strategic prioritization.
President Boakai disclosed the proposed legislation during his State of the Nation Address to the 55th National Legislature, delivered in keeping with Article 58 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution. Among other initiatives, the President announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at restructuring the MFDP to enhance efficiency in planning and fiscal management.
“A Decisive Step Toward Effective Development Planning”
Speaking to legislative reporters at his Capitol Building office, Senator Bartekwa praised President Boakai for taking what he described as a decisive step in the interest of not only Grand Kru County, but the entire nation.
He said the proposed reforms would improve national development planning, promote evidence-based budgeting, and ensure that public expenditures are guided by clearly defined priorities.
“The President’s decision shows that he is listening,” Bartekwa said. “When issues we raised some time back—particularly the separation of development planning from the Ministry of Finance—are now being addressed, it is only right to acknowledge the effort.”
Long-Standing Call to Separate Planning From Finance
Senator Bartekwa recalled that in mid-2024 he formally wrote the Senate plenary, calling for the separation of the Development Planning component from the MFDP to better drive Liberia’s development agenda.
He noted that under the current structure, local authorities in various counties are encouraged to conduct development planning, yet the institutional framework limits effective coordination and implementation.
According to him, when the Ministry of Planning previously existed as a standalone institution, each of Liberia’s 15 counties had Planning Officers responsible for coordinating development initiatives with local administrations and the central government.
“I believe we need to revisit that law,” Bartekwa asserted. “The Ministry of Planning should handle planning fully, while the Ministry of Finance focuses solely on financial matters.”
MFDP Overstretched, Planning Function Undermined
The senator argued that while the MFDP has demonstrated strength in preparing national budgets and disbursing funds, the planning component remains overstretched and under-resourced.
He pointed out that the Deputy Minister for Planning faces an overwhelming workload, which, he said, undermines effective development planning nationwide.
With the President’s proposal to establish a National Planning Commission, Bartekwa said the government is moving in the right direction.
“The President’s agreement with our proposal is laudable,” he said. “A specialized institution focused on consistent and long-term development planning is exactly what Liberia needs.”
Praise for Mining Reforms and Community Benefits
In addition to the planning reforms, Senator Bartekwa praised the Ministry of Mines and Energy for taking steps to ensure that companies engaged in rock and sand mining remit statutory benefits to affected communities.
He said the ministry has responded positively to legislative concerns and has begun enforcing compliance with royalty payments.
“The ministry has acknowledged our call and has acted,” Bartekwa said. “Going forward, companies involved in sand and rock mining will pay the required two percent royalties in the interest of the country and its citizens.”
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