“Drop In The Bucket”

-Lawmakers Speak out;  As Discussions Continue On CSDF

By R. Joyclyn Wea

As discussions on the county social development fund (CSDF) continue, lawmakers have termed as ‘drop in the buck’, fund allotted in the national budget for county development.

They spoke recently at a one-day coalition legislative acquaintance meeting reform on the proposed ‘Stand Alone County Social Development Fund (CSDF) Bill’ Organized by Liberia Accountability Voice Initiative (LAVI), Natural Resource Management (NRM) and facilitated by NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development and Development Education Network of Liberia (DEN-L).

Remarking at the meeting, Montserrado County District#12 Representative George Samah described as “drop in the bucket” money allocated annually in the national budget to each of the 15 counties as County Development Funds.

The amount of US$200,000.00 is currently apportioned equally across all 15 counties of Liberia, regardless of the population, poverty level, economic development and other factors.

Representative George Samah noted that said amount given by government as CDF is insufficient to cater to the many development challenges facing the country.

Representative Samah believes that distribution of monies or funds to various counties for development should be based on population of a county.

The Montserrado County lawmaker also speaking on the passage of the stand-alone CSDF bill added that it is unfair to those counties that do not receive social development funds from concession companies.

He meanwhile recommended that due-diligence be given to the passage of the stand-alone CSDF bill currently in committee room which according him will bring development to the people.

At the same time, Nimba County electoral district seven Representative Roger Domah on the other hand recommended that the current County Development Funds (CDF) be renamed to District Development Funds (DDF).

According to him, whatever funds intended for the people should be given at a district level instead of county level, if the citizens should feel the impact of these funds. TNR

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.