MARYLAND: Phase two of ongoing district consultative meetings with citizens in Maryland was held in Karloken City August 2,2024, aimed for the formulation of Liberia’s National Development Plan (ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development).
The advance stages discussions being held across the country, is to ensure that the development agenda reflects the needs and aspirations of local communities.
Addressing residents in Karloken City, Deputy Finance Minister for Administration, Hon. Bill McGill Jones, urged grassroots participants in the ongoing District Consultations for the National Development Plan to provide realistic and actionable feedback.
Hon. Jones stressed on the critical role of women and youth, local authorities, who together represent a substantial portion of the country’s population. The Minster underscored the government’s commitment to participatory governance and its dedication to ensuring that the results from these consultations are not only costed but also implemented over the next five years.
He emphasized that the National Development Plan, known as the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, along with the County Development Agenda, is designed to be more than just theoretical frameworks.
“Instead, they will serve as practical tools for driving meaningful change in collaboration with both national and international partners.The current administration is deeply committed to turning the input from these consultations into concrete actions” Hon. Jonesstated.
Jones reiterated that the consultative meetings is also aimed to ensure that these plans are used to foster people-centered development and bring about real impactful change.
In a separate remarks, Assistant Minister for DevelopmentPlanning, J. Wellington Barchue, I. highlights the need for crucialrole of social cohesion in the country’s development efforts.
Minister Barchue indicated that the gathering will help guide thecountry in preparing its national development plan based on thecounties’ development agenda.
“We are aware that in the absence of social cohesion andreconciliation, there will be no development,” he noted.
Minister Barchue mentioned that the government’s primary focusshould be on unifying the people through reconciliation, that whichwould provide a comprehensive overview of the country’s progressover the years, offering valuable insights to strengthen programs andenable the Government of Liberia (GoL) to forge a cohesivedevelopment policy.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Development and Planing J. Wellington Jr.I. said the on going consultative meetings with citizens in Maryland County exercise is expected to target the remaining Districts in the coming days.
The Statutory Superintendent Peter Kumah and Youth president for Karluway District Jacob Nyancie commended the Finance Ministry for such a consultative initiative across the country.
They revealed that the health system in the County is crippled with ashortage of ambulances and basic medical supplies. The officials for Karluway District noted that public schools in Maryland are poorlyequipped and understaffed, forcing parents to send their childrenelsewhere for schooling.
” We are recommending to the Liberia government led by President Joseph Nyumah Boikai to build sufficient public schools especially to remote parts of the Country” they lamented.
Peter Kumah and Youth president Jacob Nyancie indicated that, erecting schools building would assist to empower children to develop interest in education for the betterment of the nation.