By Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay |Correspondent
Monrovia, Thursday, May 22, 2025- The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) with funding from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the Liberia Decentralization Support is conducting a three-day onboarding training for development technicians from four counties aimed at establishing County Development Planning Units.
The Onboarding training is being held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County with development technicians from Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, RiverCess and Montserrado Counties in attendance.
Assistant Minister for Research and Development Planning at MIA, D. Emmanuel Wheinyue at the opening of the training exercise said the establishment of the County Development Planning Unit (CDPU) is in consonance with Chapter Five of the Local Government Act of 2018 and the initiative is intended to capacitate county focus persons in the implementation of governments ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
“The establishment of the CDPL is by law,” Asst. Min. Wheinyue said. “Chapter Five of the Local Government Act of 2018 calls for the establishment of the CDPU,” he added.
Assistant Minister Wheinyue emphasized that the establishment of the CDPU is mandated under the supervision of the County Development Officers (CDOs) and is responsible to facilitate developed planning.
He stressed that at the sub-county levels, the CDOs also supervises and implement data collection and management, project design, monitoring and evaluation, added that Government through the MIA is ensuring that the CDPU is established in every county by training county administrators who are aligned with development in the county.
“The Government through the Ministry of Internal Affairs is making sure that every county gets the proper training needed for the establishment of the County Development Planning Unit,” Ass’st. Min. Whenyue stated.
In December 2024, six counties including Bomi, Bong, Lofa, Gbarpolu, Nimba and Grand Bassa Counties underwent similar training funded by the UN Women and the CDPU was established in each county.
However, Ass’st. Min. Whenyue said talks are underway with both UN Women and the UNDP to conduct similar training for CDOs in the remaining five counties of Liberia.
He emphasized that only staff that is trained under the development training being conducted by the MIA and the UNDP will be allowed to work in the County Development Planning Units and added that that is the integrity agreement signed with the partners.
Ass’st. Min. Whenyue thanked the UNDP for the support and called on the UN agency to continue its good work for the Liberian people.
Meanwhile, Deputy Resident Representative for Programs at UNDP, Louis Kuukpen said the move by the Ministry of Internal Affairs is a pivotal step in the establishment and onboarding of County Development Planning Units, as outlined in Chapter 5.1 of the Local Government Act of 2018.
Mr. Kuukpen said the drive is a significant milestone in Liberia’s ongoing journey toward decentralization and sustainable development.
Chapter 5.1 of the Local Government Act mandates that each of Liberia’s fifteen counties to establish a Development Planning Unit, headed by an appointed County Development Officer.
According to the UNDP Deputy Country Representative, the CDPU is more than just statutory requirements, but is a vital institution for local ownership, inclusive development, and effective coordination between the central government and local communities.
“The County Development Planning Units play a critical role in advancing local governance by formulating inclusive, evidence-based development plans aligned with national priorities; serving as a vital link between local and central government to ensure coordinated aid and resource alignment; and monitoring development activities to promote transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery,” Mr. Kuukpen stated.
He said the UNDP is proud to be a close partner in the process and through its ongoing support to decentralization and inclusive governance reform through the Liberia Decentralization Support Program, adding that UNDP is working collaboratively with the MIA and other stakeholders to ensure that the planning units are not only established, but also equipped, trained, and empowered to deliver on their mandate.
“Towards this initiative, the UNDP will be providing computers, multipurpose printers, assorted stationery items, and other equipment to the 4 Units in Montserrado, Margibi, RiverCess, and Grand Cape Mount Counties,” he assured the participants.
The UNDP Resident Representatives for Programs emphasized that establishing the CDPU is only the beginning, but sustaining them, resourcing them, and institutionalizing their role within national systems will require continued commitment from all including the government, development partners, civil society, and the communities they serve.
Mr. Kuukpen promised UNDP continued commitment to work with Liberia through its development journey. The MIA, UNDP onboarding training is held under the theme: Building a New Liberia through Decentralization”.
The exercise in Buchanan brings to ten (10), the number of CDPUs established. It can be recalled, six County Development Planning Units were established last year in Bong, Lofa, Bomi, Grand Bassa, Nimba and Gbarpolu Counties.
With additional four Units being set-up, Assistant Internal Affairs Minister Wheinyue assured that all efforts are being exerted to establish the remaining five (5) CDPUs.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
