MONROVIA – In a significant move aimed at enhancing local governance, the House of Representatives is currently examining a proposed bill that seeks to repeal and amend certain sections of the Local Government Act of 2018. The bill, titled “An Act to Repeal Section 2.2 Subsections (e & f) of the Local Government Act of 2018,” was introduced by Rep. Jeremiah Sokan Sr., the representative for Grand Gedeh County District #1, during the 10th sitting of the 2nd Quarter of the 55th Legislature’s 2nd Session.
The core intention behind the proposed amendments is to restore the oversight powers of county Legislative Caucuses, particularly in relation to the approval of county budgets and development plans. Representative Sokan underscored the need for these changes, expressing concerns that the existing framework, which excludes county Caucuses from budget approval and development planning, effectively undermines the essential system of checks and balances within local governance.
“The exclusion of county Legislative Caucuses from these critical processes not only weakens our governance structure but also poses risks to transparency and accountability,” Sokan said. “Without proper oversight, there is potential for mismanagement and misuse of county resources.”
The proposed changes specifically target the following subsections of the Local Government Act: 2.2(e): This subsection currently grants authority for the approval of the annual county budget.
2.2(f): This deals with the approval and implementation of county development plans.
Following the introduction of the bill, plenary discussions have led to its referral to several key committees: Good Governance, Ways, Means and Finance, Internal Affairs, and Judiciary. These committees are now tasked with reviewing the proposal in detail and are expected to report their findings within the next two weeks.
If passed, the amendment could mark a pivotal shift in local governance, potentially revitalizing the oversight role of county Legislative Caucuses and fostering a more accountable framework for budgetary and developmental decisions at the county level.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, stakeholders, residents, and civic organizations are closely monitoring developments, underscoring the vital importance of transparency and accountability in local government operations.
