MONROVIA – In a move aimed at enhancing local governance, the Plenary of the House of Representatives has voted to endorse and amend the Local Government Act, following a detailed report from the Joint Committees on Judiciary and Internal Affairs. Lawmakers argued that the amendments are crucial for creating a more accountable, efficient, and participatory framework for local administration across Liberia.
The Joint Committees were tasked with reviewing the Local Government Act of 2018 and advising the Plenary on potential reforms that would advance decentralization. Their report, presented during recent deliberations, reflects months of consultation and public engagement, including hearings held on July 16, 2025, and November 5, 2025. These sessions brought together representatives from the Law Reform Commission, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Governance Commission, civil society organizations, and professional staff from the House Legal Drafting Department.
During the hearings, participants provided expert insights on decentralization, public sector reform, administrative efficiency, and governance. The discussions were marked by careful analysis of the legal, structural, and policy implications of proposed amendments, with particular focus on creating a stronger national decentralization framework, enhancing accountability, and promoting citizen engagement in county-level governance.
The Committees stressed that the amendments are essential to addressing emerging administrative realities and removing inconsistencies in the 2018 law that have hindered effective implementation. They argued that a coherent and empowered local governance architecture is necessary to ensure responsiveness to community needs and broaden citizen participation in local government processes.
Key areas of the amended legislation include revisions to Sections 2.1h, 2.2b, 2.2d, 2.2e, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8, 2.9, and 3.7. The amendments also introduce new sections, establish selection criteria for local officials, create a new Chapter 3, and mandate the full application of the Public Financial Management Law of 2009, strengthening fiscal oversight and transparency at the local level.
The legislation, now titled “An Act to Amend Certain Sections of the New Title 20 of the Local Government Act of 2018, Liberian Codes of Laws Revised, to be Known as the Local Government Act of 2025,” reflects the House’s commitment to modernizing local governance structures. Lawmakers emphasized that the amended law will enhance administrative efficiency, expand citizen participation in county-level development, and reinforce Liberia’s decentralization agenda in line with the 1986 Constitution.
During Plenary deliberations, members debated the broader implications of the reforms, noting that strengthening local governance is central to improving public service delivery and fostering accountability across the country. The amendments are expected to ensure that local authorities operate more effectively while remaining closely aligned with national development priorities.
Proponent of the bill, Hon. Jeremiah G. Sokan, expressed gratitude to colleagues who co-sponsored the legislation and highlighted the importance of legislative collaboration in achieving governance reform. He stated that the House’s endorsement represents a critical step in creating a more responsive and transparent local government system in Liberia.
The bill has now been forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence, a necessary step before the amendments can be enacted into law. Observers note that Senate approval will mark a significant milestone in Liberia’s decentralization efforts, potentially transforming local governance and increasing public trust in sub-national institutions.
