MONROVIA, February 19 (LINA) - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has announced an Executive Directive bestowing additional powers on county superintendents.

“In de-concentration implementation, County Superintendents from this day are conferred with the authority to coordinate and manage the delivery of services in their counties.

“All staff of ministries and agencies deployed to the counties, while continuing to be employed by their line ministries and agencies, shall continue to be under the coordination of county superintendents administratively and get technical guidance from the line ministries,” the Liberia leader directed.

President Sirleaf made the pronouncement in Gbarnga, Bong County Wednesday at the formal launch of the De-concentration Platform. The program was graced by government officials and members of the international community.

She said as part of the de-concentration program, county superintendents will be elected.

The Liberian leader also directed that the Ministry of Internal Affairs in coordination with line ministries immediately coordinate a process to harmonize the finance, procurement, human resource, audit, monitoring and evaluation of services in the county to avoid the multiplication of these services in each government ministry and agency.

She pointed out that to achieve the above administrative reforms, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning will be called upon to expedite the establishment of county treasuries in all counties, to make it possible for all government employees to receive their salaries in their counties.

At the same time, President Sirleaf is calling for the establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure the successful implementation of the de-concentration platform.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Governance Commission are already working to finalize the few outstanding details of the draft Local Government Act. Our aim is to get this to the Legislature as soon as possible,” she pointed out.
LINA