The Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Tanneh G. Brunson, has informed Legislative Caucuses attending the ongoing County Development Agenda (CDA) meetings that their presence at the event is a true testament of their commitments to the growth and development of Liberia, something which signals a historic moment where Legislators oversight aligns with national development efforts. It can be recalled that on July 22, 2024, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) during the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee Chaired by President Joseph N. Boakai, commenced the consultative processes leading towards the formulation of three plans that include the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, Public Sector Investment Plan and the County Development Agenda. Accordingly, the consultations are in alignment with the Local Government Act of 2018, which serves as the foundation for county-level development, decentralization, including crucial provisions such as revenue sharing and local governance structures. Min. Brunson informed the gathering that the consultations which covered the 15 political sub-division of the country, is aimed at capturing the voices, concerns and aspirations of Liberians in ensuring that their views are aligned with the President’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). She made the assertion at the ongoing Legislative Caucus meeting for the Development of County Development Agenda (CDA) Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Monrovia. “This is a joint opportunity to make amendments where necessary, to refine the vision for your counties and ensure that no one is left behind in these development processes. Today is indeed a historic moment, because it is rare that we have Legislators directly contributing to the formulation of national development strategies like the CDAs,” she said. However, the MFDP Deputy Minister for Budget Planning and Development stated that they believe that the development of the agendas would be incomplete without the vital participation and political direction from the Legislators who represent the interest of their counties. “Your input and oversight are critical, and it is against this backdrop that we have invited you here today to discuss and deliberate on the views gathered from your constituencies,” she said. According to her, discussions with Legislators over the pass days have been transformative, providing invaluable insights that will shape the development trajectory of the country. “As we work together to finalize these CDAs, let us all reflect on the immense responsibility we have as stewards of Liberia’s development. We must think of the future, build strategically and foster a collective love for this nation,” she said. Giving the overview of the program, MFDP Assistant Minister for Development Planning, J. Wellington Barchue, I. said the consultative process was done simultaneously at the sub-national and national levels, which implies that why they were engaging the sub-national stakeholders the eleven budget sectors were also convening their own engagement at the national level, as both processes concluded on the 15 of August. According to him, having listen to the eleven budget sectors and the stakeholders from the sub-national level, it was deemed prudent that the appropriator of the budget be consulted. “Against this backdrop, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning invited you here today for the sole purpose of presenting to you the preliminary plans from these consultation from the Districts and Counties, as well as the national level. The Legislative Caucuses will see and hear what the citizens from their respective counties said they want in terms of development, and also show to them, what we gather from the budget sector at the national level,” he said. Also speaking at the event, MIA Deputy Minister for Policy and Planning, Eddie Mulbah asserted that the citizens of Liberia are very grateful to the government, particularly the Legislature for the enactment into Law the Local Government Act of 2018. According to him, the law provides tremendous opportunities for citizens to actively participate in the governance of the State, by granting access and decision-making power in the management of resources through the framework of decentralization. “The decentralization of governance holds the greatest potentials for development in Liberia consistent with the ARREST Agenda, which anon objective seeks to improve the living condition of the people. This governance arrangement now gives political and economic decision-making, development powers and authority to the people through local governments at the County, District, Chiefdom and Clan levels,” he said. Lawmakers at the gathering welcome the engagement and commended the MFDP and MIA for undertaking said initiative which is in the interest of their respective counties and people. “We see this as a welcoming sign for national development for our people, and good thing we were not present at those engagements, because anything we say, the people were going to agree with us. True be told, I like the way they spoke their mind on things that are affecting them and we are going to work together to address those concern,” they said. Macpherson C. Marbiah writes/0886442881 0777250370