By: Austin S Fallah – A True Son of Social and Economic Emancipation in Liberia
In the heart of West Africa, Liberia emerges with a rich historical tapestry, yet it faces the quintessential challenges of urban and county development and citizen empowerment.
The mayors and superintendents of Liberian cities and counties bear the weight of their constituents’ aspirations, striving to transition the urban fabric from a state of dormancy to a vibrant hub of communal and economic progress.
However, this ambition encounters a formidable barrier, the centralization of governance and the consequent stranglehold on revenue allocation, which thwarts localized growth initiatives.
This korero posits a forward-thinking solution a clarion call for Liberian city mayors and county superintendents to actively seek international partnerships and endorse tangible mechanisms like an additional tax levy to actualize the redevelopment of their cities and the empowerment of their people.
The current state of stagnation within Liberian cities and counties can not be overstated.
Mayors and superintendents who should function as harbingers of change are often mired in administrative lethargy, awaiting directives from a national government whose sluggish pace of decentralization stifles local development.
It is imperative to challenge this status quo by asserting that city mayors and county superintendents should not be mere spectators in the theatre of progression.
They must transcend boundaries, literal and metaphorical, to rally support for their cities and counties through international alliances and pragmatic fiscal strategies.
Firstly, the concept of establishing sister city and county relationships with counterparts in the developed world offers a manifold of benefits.
Such affiliations are not just symbolic gestures of goodwill but are indeed a substantive conduit for the transfer of knowledge, resources, and mutual support.
By fostering these international ties, Liberian city mayors and county superintendents can unlock a plethora of developmental materials tractors, caterpillars, dump trucks, and office supplies, to name a few that are critical for urban infrastructure projects.
The transfer of such equipment is more than a mere act of beneficence.
It is an investment in the operational abilities of cities and counties to maintain, expand, and modernize their physical landscapes.
Beyond infrastructural aid, sister-city and county relationships can pave the way for educational empowerment through scholarship programs.
Such initiatives can engender a transformative ripple effect by equipping citizens with the skills and qualifications necessary to partake in and eventually drive their city’s and counties’ growth.
Educational exchange programs stand as a testament to the power of cross-cultural collaboration and underscore the fact that the development of human capital is indispensable for sustainable urban progression.
It is essential, nevertheless, to recognize that external help should complement, not substitute, localized efforts.
Liberian city mayors and county superintendents must demonstrate astute leadership by advocating for fiscal structures conducive to self-sufficiency.
Proposing an additional tax percentage, for instance, a 5% levy on all goods and services (taxes), dedicated exclusively to city and county developments, represents a bold and necessary stance.
This proposition is predicated on the belief that municipalities and counties are best positioned to diagnose their unique challenges and opportunities and thus should have at their disposal the means to finance solutions fitting their contexts.
Critics may argue that additional taxation places an undue burden on the citizenry, particularly in a nation battling poverty and economic challenges.
While this contention merits consideration, it fails to account for the long-term benefits that accrue from restoring and enhancing civic amenities.
Basic services clean water, effective waste management, accessible healthcare, and reliable transport are not luxuries but foundational elements that buttress the quality of life.
The envisaged tax is not a punitive measure but a strategic investment earmarked to lift Liberian cities and counties out of the quagmire of underdevelopment.
Moreover, fostering a cooperative relationship with the national government is vital to realizing these urban aspirations.
City mayors, and county superintendents equipped with the mandate of local governance, possess a legitimate voice to call for a recalibration of the revenue-sharing formula, advocating for a portion of revenues generated within cities and counties to be retained for their upliftment.
Engaging in continuous dialogue, backed by a coherent and evidence-based approach, can persuade central authorities to appreciate the value of empowering cities as engines of national growth.
The argument for Liberian city mayors and county superintendents to step into the international arena and seek developmental partnerships, coupled with the push for a localized tax for urban betterment, is grounded in a vision of a self-reliant, resilient future.
It is a recognition that in this era of globalization, cities, and countries can not afford to operate in isolation.
The empowering narrative encompasses the understanding that agency, assertiveness, and judicious governance are pivotal to transforming the landscape of Liberian urbanity and counties.
The time has come for Liberian city mayors and county superintendents to assert themselves as proactive agents of change.
They must take the initiative to form global networks that can assist with the requisite materials and knowledge for urban redevelopment.
Synchronously, they should spearhead the adoption of fiscal policies, like the additional tax levy, to underpin the provision of essential services.
These steps are not elective, but they are imperative for the evolution of Liberian cities and counties into modern, dynamic communities where citizens can lead dignified, empowered lives and unsanitation/mountains garbage will be in the abyss/ crevasse of Liberian history.
As these urban centers and counties flourish, they will not only reflect the aspirations of their inhabitants but also contribute to the overarching narrative of Liberia’s national development.
Let me interject that, It is through such progressive governance that cities and counties can create legacies of transformational growth, serving as beacons of hope and exemplars of communal success in the 21st century.
