Monrovia, Liberia – The Ministry of Internal Affairs, now the Ministry of Local Government, with funding from UNDP Liberia through the Liberia Decentralization Support Program (LDSP), has embarked on a three-day onboarding training for development technicians from Montserrado, Margibi, Rivercess, and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
The training is currently taking place in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, and is aimed at establishing County Development Planning Units (CDPUs) in these counties.
According to the MIA and the UNDP, the establishment of the CDPUs is aligned with Chapter 5 of the Local Government Act of 2018, which mandates the creation of planning units in each of Liberia’s fifteen counties.
These units are intended to build local capacity and enhance the implementation of the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
These Technicians will operate under the supervision of County Development Officers (CDOs), who are responsible for coordinating county and sub-county level development activities.
The Units will be responsible for data collection and management, project design, monitoring, and evaluation, among others.
Speaking during the opening session, UNDP Liberia Deputy Resident Representative for Programmes, Louis Kuukpen, hailed the initiative as a vital step in Liberia’s decentralization and governance reform process.
He stressed that the CDPUs go beyond legal compliance and are central to inclusive development, local ownership, and effective coordination between national and local governments.
Mr. Kuukpen reaffirmed UNDP’s support, noting that under this initiative, essential equipment and supplies, including computers, printers, stationery etc, will be provided to the newly established CDPUs in the four Counties.
Reported by: Simeon S. Wiakanty
