Monrovia — Stakeholders from across Liberia have termed the ongoing District Consultation for the formulation for the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development as a recipe for inclusive development.
Currently, the District Consultations are being done in Gbarpolu, River Gee, Bong, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Nimba Counties with the remaining counties to follow.
The consultations are being spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), with support from various UN partners and the Government of Sweden.
Speaking at one of the consultations in Karwaken, River Gee County, Gbeapo District Commissioner, Solomon Nyonoise underscored the significance of these consultations as one that seeks to improve the lives of ordinary people. “This meeting is crucial for bringing about the development we need. For us, the renovation of the Commissioner Compound in Karwaken is a priority. Additionally, we are advocating for the rehabilitation of the city hall in Karwaken and the reconstruction of feeder roads in Gbeapo District,” he stated.
Nyonoise also highlighted the dire state of educational facilities in his district, particularly the multilateral vocational school. “The school lacks essential materials and qualified teachers. We have included in our proposal the need for qualified teachers and proper equipment to ensure our children receive a better education,” he emphasized.
He said the schools in his district are in poor condition stressing the need for improved services in public schools that grow out of the provision of teachers and rehabilitation buildings housing schools. Commissioner Nyonoise averred that some buildings are in such bad shape that students have to stand up right to write.
Health and education are at the forefront of Gbeapo’s development priorities. “Our first priority is the health center, followed by the Commissioner Compound. The Gbeapo Commissioner asserted that the plan will be implemented in phases per annual.
In Bong, Superintendent Hawa Norris admonished local residents to come forward with their priorities aligning it with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development of the current administration. She noted, ‘President Boakai has interest in the voices of the common people. That’s’ why we all have a role in crafting this agenda that will make our lives better for the next five years.
Jimmy Bookey, MFDP Lead for Gbarpolu, Bomi, and Cape Mount, reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing local issues at the Gbarma Consultation. “We are conducting a nationwide data collection effort to understand the concerns of people living at the district level. Representatives from students, women, the disabled, and the elderly are involved in these consultations to ensure comprehensive input,” he said.
Bookey noted the historical context of the current effort. “The last County Development Agenda was developed between 2008 and 2011. The formulation of the current County Development Agenda will build on that past plan, ensuring continuity and relevance.”
The data gathered from these consultations will form a critical part of the County Development Agendas, which will, in turn, reflect the National Development Agenda. This collaborative effort between the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and UN partners and the Government of Sweden is a testament to the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
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