Monrovia, Liberia - The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), has begun a nationwide assessment aimed at constructing and renovating six additional county treasuries.
The move represents a major push toward decentralizing the country’s financial management system and bringing essential government services closer to the people.
The first phase of the exercise is already in motion in Sinoe County and Grand Kru County, where local leaders have identified properties that could host the new treasury facilities. The assessment, which runs from April 22 to 26, will also extend to Maryland County, Grand Gedeh County, Lofa County, and Bomi County. The second phase of the assessment starts Saturday with works in Maryland and Grand Kru counties.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement, Superintendent Alexander Nah Sleweon acknowledged the logistical challenges involved in reaching the county, describing the visit as a clear sign that the government is serious about inclusive national development.
“We are excited to have you here,” he asserted. “Traveling to this part of the country is not easy, so we truly appreciate the effort. More importantly, your presence shows that development is not only being discussed in Monrovia, but is gradually reaching the people who need it most.”
The treasury initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to deconcentrate authority and transition to a decentralized governance structure that enables counties to exercise greater control over their own resources.
Under this framework, key functions such as revenue collection, budget implementation, and payment processing will be carried out locally.
Traveling from remote counties to Monrovia to process basic financial transactions has often been costly, time-consuming, and inefficient. The new treasuries are expected to significantly ease these burdens while improving the speed and transparency of government operations.
Providing further details at the stakeholders’ engagement, Dr. Romeo Gbartea, Director of the Fiscal Decentralization Unit at the MFDP, explained that the selection of the six counties followed earlier assessments conducted in ten counties across the country.
“Distance from Monrovia and limited operational capacity were major factors in our decision,” he noted. “In some cases, officials have to travel long distances just to process a single transaction. With the treasury system in place, ministries and agencies will be able to handle their financial activities right where they operate.”
According to Dr. Gbartea, each county treasury will function as a centralized hub for financial services at the local level—a “one-stop shop” where government entities can prepare requests, obtain approvals, and complete transactions efficiently.
He added that once the current assessment is completed, the Ministry will finalize operational guidelines, recruit staff, and begin deploying trained personnel to the selected counties.
While construction and renovation work may take time, Fiscal Decentralization authorities say interim measures will be introduced to ensure services can begin without delay. In Sinoe, for example, a site near the telecommunications area has already been proposed to accommodate both the treasury and a county service center. In Grand Kru County, officials and stakeholders have identified the existing County Service Center as a viable location for expansion to include treasury operations.
Local residents and stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, pointing to its potential to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and improve access to essential public services. Many believe it will also strengthen accountability by ensuring that financial transactions are handled more transparently at the county level.
Currently, only four counties—Grand Bassa County, Nimba County, Margibi County, and Bong County have fully functional treasury offices. As population growth and economic activity continue to increase, pressure on these existing facilities has grown, underscoring the need for expansion.
The initiative is aligned with key national legal frameworks, including the Public Financial Management Law, the Revenue Sharing Law, and the Local Government Act, all of which support fiscal decentralization and improved governance.
As the assessment team prepares to move on to other counties, government is remaining committed to building a system that is not only efficient, but also inclusive, one that ensures citizens, regardless of where they live, can access government services without unnecessary hardship.