Published: August 25, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia – Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s government to move swiftly from rhetoric to action by establishing the Local Government Fiscal Board and implementing the Revenue Sharing Regulations.
The group said doing so would mark a turning point in Liberia’s long-stalled push for fiscal decentralization, which it argues is critical for inclusive growth, citizen trust, and lasting peace.
Call for a Fiscal Board and Revenue Oversight
Naymote, one of Liberia’s leading civil society institutions since 2001, said the government must immediately create the Local Government Fiscal Board, appointed by the president, to supervise grants and ensure equitable allocations. The group also pressed for the opening of transitory accounts at the Central Bank of Liberia for all local governments to guarantee fair and transparent revenue distribution.
Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo emphasized that county treasuries should be trained to manage resources responsibly, with strong procurement and auditing systems, while the Equalization Fund at the Central Bank should be activated to address regional imbalances in development.
First Step Toward Fiscal Decentralization
Jarwolo welcomed the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s publication of the Revenue Sharing Regulations on August 27, 2024, calling it a historic first for Liberia. For the first time, counties and local administrations will be given authority to manage their own finances.
If properly implemented, Jarwolo said, the regulations could transform service delivery, improve standards of living, and strengthen both the County Development Agendas and the Boakai administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Citizens’ Frustration Over Delays
Despite the progress, Naymote stressed that political will remains the key obstacle. Jarwolo warned that delays in implementing the regulations undermine trust and frustrate citizens who have long awaited decentralization. “Every delay undermines development at the local level and fuels frustration among communities,” he said. “Liberia cannot afford another decade of promises without action.” At a recent Montserrado County Dialogue on Strengthening Local Government for Inclusive Development, held August 7, 2025, in Bentol, citizens voiced sharp dissatisfaction with the government’s pace. Their calls for urgent action reflected a deep yearning for shared power and accountability.
Decentralization as a Safeguard for Peace
Naymote also tied the reforms to Liberia’s troubled history. Jarwolo reminded the government that the centralized system of governance, in place since 1847, excluded citizens from decision-making and fueled grievances that contributed to the civil crisis between 1990 and 2003. He said decentralization reforms are therefore not optional, but vital to sustaining peace and giving communities ownership of their development.
Demanding Accountability in Implementation
As part of its recommendations, Naymote urged the government to strictly uphold the Revenue Code, the Public Financial Management framework, the Procurement and Concessions Law, and the Local Government Act as the backbone for accountability and transparency in rolling out the new framework. Jarwolo stressed that President Boakai’s leadership will determine whether the regulations remain a paper policy or become a transformative reform.
“The Liberian people are watching closely,” he said. “Now is the time for the government to prove it is serious about fiscal decentralization and inclusive development.”
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