GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA 150 DAY ACTION PLAN MATRIX
posted by Plucky @ 8:52 PM
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Friday, December 15, 2006
Peeping through the GOL Deliverables
Posted August 20, 2006
Peeping through the GOL Deliverables
The saying goes that “better to be late than never.” Other goes to say that one is better than zero.” The Sirleaf administration, despite the many circumstances it faced since its inauguration on January 6, 2006, comes out strongly to prove pessimists wrong that the 150-day plan of action would not be achieved partly or at all.
Although some Liberians have yet to physically see Sirleaf administration’s achievements since her first six months in office, the administration says it achieved a couple of good things for the Liberian people amid numerous circumstances. The number of completed plans and ongoing ones, according to the Action Plan Matrix document are almost equal.
The Sirleaf administration agrees it was late in delivering some of the things promised the Liberian people-and although all were not delivered on schedule, it is proud that at least the question in the air about what the Sirleaf administration has achieved so far, has been answered partly, if not satisfactorily.
The 11-page document published by the government, titled, “Government of Liberia 150-Day Action Plan Matrix, copy of which was sent to RunningAfrica.com by Press Secretary Cyrus Wleh Badio, outlines what the administration has achieved and what are in progress to be achieved in four segments; these include, security, economic revitalization, infrastructures and basic services, governance and law and order.
SecurityAccording to the document, government, in its effort to build a credible, capable, and democratically accountable military force, has delivered a complete severance of payment for approximately 100 AFL soldiers with cases still under review.
Completed also, according to the document is the legal determination of the retirement benefits for 4, 625 retired AFL soldiers and the vetting of the first class of 309 recruits for training to commence in July under the auspices of the US government and the Ministry of Defense, but it is not known where the training will take place.
The report contained in the Action Plan Matrix mentioned plan underway for recruitment of new AFL and the preparation of brigade headquarters at Camp Shufflin. Camp Shufflin was renamed as Edward Beyan Kesselly Military Camp by President Sirleaf during the Independence Day ceremony. The late Edward B. Kesselly was one of the founding members of the Unity Party and became its standard bearer in 1985 general and presidential elections.
The changing of the name of one of Liberia’s main military barracks did not go through legal proceedings through the legislature, critics say.
Under security deliverables was an advisory committee established to draft a statute to create office of veteran affairs. The committee has completed its works, according to the Action Plan Matrix.
In accordance with government policy to provide training and employment opportunities for ex-combatants to prevent further recruitment into conflict, the government has begun placing an additional 6,000 outstanding ex-combatants into ongoing vocational, agricultural skills, formal education, or small business skills training programs through UNDP Trust Fund and more through parallel partner funding.
“Overall target for 2005-2007: 9,900 ex-combatants, 63, 000 by UNDP and 36,000 by partners by June 2007,” the document continues. In progress, according to the document are 8 projects initiated by UNMIL, UNDP, and NCDDRR, along the Liberia’s borders with Cote d’Ivoire, to create employment opportunities to counter illegal recruitment for participation in conflict.
In order to reduce proliferation of small arms, the government, under the auspices of UNDP will extend the coverage of the small arms collection and control program, according to the Action Plan Matrix document.
Strengthening national security institutions and enhance coordination: In addition to the completion of the deactivation of ineligible SSS, the commencement of VIP protective detail training, complete national security review, initiation of the reorganization of security agencies, the initiation of the restructuring of the National Police, including the purchasing of uniforms and supplies, the opening of “women and children Protection Units” in four police stations and training 46 police officers to staff them, and the recruitment of additional 300 police for training, according to the document. Also going on were the completion of national security review, and the rehabilitation of seven police stations.
In an attempt to fulfill its mandate to the Liberian people, the government, with the collaborations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, LRRRC, UNHCR, U.S., E.C. and WFP, said, it facilitated the return, health, sanitation and counseling support at arrival, and the reintegration of 50, 000 internal displaced persons (.IDPs) residing in camps in Montserado, Bong, Bomi, and Margibi counties between January and June this year. The process of reintegrating residual IDPs and for closing IDP camps has been completed.
Economic RevitalizationTo establish sound financial management and budgeting, the government, according to the document, has introduced a legislation to integrate the Bureau of the Budget and the Bureau of Maritime Affairs into the Ministry of Finance. The legislation is to be submitted after the passage of the budget. The government also completed the introduction of computerized “Flag Receipt” system at the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Liberia, in addition to establishing a fully Cash management Committee and the submission of recast balanced budget to the legislature for February-June 2006 and balanced GOL 2006/2007 budget to the Legislature.
According to the document, the government introduced legislation to limit the power of the executive branch to effect major changes in budget allocations without approval. The government has established the extent of outstanding domestic arrears, signed a letter of intent for and obtained IMF Executive Board approval for a staff-monitored program with IMF.
According to the document government dismissed all NTLG political appointees from MOF, declared all forest sector concessions agreements void for noncompliance; cancelled GSS container park contract with NPA and initiated the review of contracts and concessions entered into during the NTLG, and the right-sized staffing levels.
Moreover, the government has commenced the publication of LPRC financial statements on a quarterly basis, ensured BIVAC can complete pre-shipment inspections, and increased revenues from taxes on international trade by at least 15%, the document notes.
Meanwhile, the government said it has maintained balanced budget by controlling expenditure and by ensuring that the Ministry of Finance provides appropriate on-going guidance to the Bureau of The Budget on allotments for individual ministries.
AgricultureIn keeping with plans to begin revitalizing agricultural production, the document said the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and NGOs, has provided seeds and tools to at least 14,000 beneficiaries, initiated with EC training activities in food crop, livestock, fish production, and provided tools and inputs to facilitate trade for farmers, ultimately reaching 30,000 returnees in 40 villages.
According to the document, the government and its partners provided tools and seeds to 6,500 farmers for cocoa, coffee, oil palm, lowland rice production, livestock.
However, it was not indicated in the document where the distribution took place but revealed further that the government and its partners including EC and NGOs aided trade for the farmers through rehabilitating 150km of feeder roads linking 12 communities and rehabilitating 12 mills and storage facilities.
According to the documents, the government also developed an agricultural policy statement and an indicative action plan and provided training and assistance to 2,000 ex-combatants in agricultural production (rice, vegetables, poultry, and aquaculture).
The government is also initiating a project to provide financial and technical assistance to rehabilitate more than 200 smallholder rubber and cocoa farms, restock more than 10 communities with short-cycle animals, rehabilitate more than 10 community fish ponds, and organize and strengthen more than 25 farmers’ groups and community-based organizations to engage in micro-credit and micro-enterprise activities.
Click here for a full table of the Deliverables
Writes,Thomas Kai Toteh
Peeping through the GOL Deliverables
The saying goes that “better to be late than never.” Other goes to say that one is better than zero.” The Sirleaf administration, despite the many circumstances it faced since its inauguration on January 6, 2006, comes out strongly to prove pessimists wrong that the 150-day plan of action would not be achieved partly or at all.
Although some Liberians have yet to physically see Sirleaf administration’s achievements since her first six months in office, the administration says it achieved a couple of good things for the Liberian people amid numerous circumstances. The number of completed plans and ongoing ones, according to the Action Plan Matrix document are almost equal.
The Sirleaf administration agrees it was late in delivering some of the things promised the Liberian people-and although all were not delivered on schedule, it is proud that at least the question in the air about what the Sirleaf administration has achieved so far, has been answered partly, if not satisfactorily.
The 11-page document published by the government, titled, “Government of Liberia 150-Day Action Plan Matrix, copy of which was sent to RunningAfrica.com by Press Secretary Cyrus Wleh Badio, outlines what the administration has achieved and what are in progress to be achieved in four segments; these include, security, economic revitalization, infrastructures and basic services, governance and law and order.
SecurityAccording to the document, government, in its effort to build a credible, capable, and democratically accountable military force, has delivered a complete severance of payment for approximately 100 AFL soldiers with cases still under review.
Completed also, according to the document is the legal determination of the retirement benefits for 4, 625 retired AFL soldiers and the vetting of the first class of 309 recruits for training to commence in July under the auspices of the US government and the Ministry of Defense, but it is not known where the training will take place.
The report contained in the Action Plan Matrix mentioned plan underway for recruitment of new AFL and the preparation of brigade headquarters at Camp Shufflin. Camp Shufflin was renamed as Edward Beyan Kesselly Military Camp by President Sirleaf during the Independence Day ceremony. The late Edward B. Kesselly was one of the founding members of the Unity Party and became its standard bearer in 1985 general and presidential elections.
The changing of the name of one of Liberia’s main military barracks did not go through legal proceedings through the legislature, critics say.
Under security deliverables was an advisory committee established to draft a statute to create office of veteran affairs. The committee has completed its works, according to the Action Plan Matrix.
In accordance with government policy to provide training and employment opportunities for ex-combatants to prevent further recruitment into conflict, the government has begun placing an additional 6,000 outstanding ex-combatants into ongoing vocational, agricultural skills, formal education, or small business skills training programs through UNDP Trust Fund and more through parallel partner funding.
“Overall target for 2005-2007: 9,900 ex-combatants, 63, 000 by UNDP and 36,000 by partners by June 2007,” the document continues. In progress, according to the document are 8 projects initiated by UNMIL, UNDP, and NCDDRR, along the Liberia’s borders with Cote d’Ivoire, to create employment opportunities to counter illegal recruitment for participation in conflict.
In order to reduce proliferation of small arms, the government, under the auspices of UNDP will extend the coverage of the small arms collection and control program, according to the Action Plan Matrix document.
Strengthening national security institutions and enhance coordination: In addition to the completion of the deactivation of ineligible SSS, the commencement of VIP protective detail training, complete national security review, initiation of the reorganization of security agencies, the initiation of the restructuring of the National Police, including the purchasing of uniforms and supplies, the opening of “women and children Protection Units” in four police stations and training 46 police officers to staff them, and the recruitment of additional 300 police for training, according to the document. Also going on were the completion of national security review, and the rehabilitation of seven police stations.
In an attempt to fulfill its mandate to the Liberian people, the government, with the collaborations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, LRRRC, UNHCR, U.S., E.C. and WFP, said, it facilitated the return, health, sanitation and counseling support at arrival, and the reintegration of 50, 000 internal displaced persons (.IDPs) residing in camps in Montserado, Bong, Bomi, and Margibi counties between January and June this year. The process of reintegrating residual IDPs and for closing IDP camps has been completed.
Economic RevitalizationTo establish sound financial management and budgeting, the government, according to the document, has introduced a legislation to integrate the Bureau of the Budget and the Bureau of Maritime Affairs into the Ministry of Finance. The legislation is to be submitted after the passage of the budget. The government also completed the introduction of computerized “Flag Receipt” system at the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Liberia, in addition to establishing a fully Cash management Committee and the submission of recast balanced budget to the legislature for February-June 2006 and balanced GOL 2006/2007 budget to the Legislature.
According to the document, the government introduced legislation to limit the power of the executive branch to effect major changes in budget allocations without approval. The government has established the extent of outstanding domestic arrears, signed a letter of intent for and obtained IMF Executive Board approval for a staff-monitored program with IMF.
According to the document government dismissed all NTLG political appointees from MOF, declared all forest sector concessions agreements void for noncompliance; cancelled GSS container park contract with NPA and initiated the review of contracts and concessions entered into during the NTLG, and the right-sized staffing levels.
Moreover, the government has commenced the publication of LPRC financial statements on a quarterly basis, ensured BIVAC can complete pre-shipment inspections, and increased revenues from taxes on international trade by at least 15%, the document notes.
Meanwhile, the government said it has maintained balanced budget by controlling expenditure and by ensuring that the Ministry of Finance provides appropriate on-going guidance to the Bureau of The Budget on allotments for individual ministries.
AgricultureIn keeping with plans to begin revitalizing agricultural production, the document said the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and NGOs, has provided seeds and tools to at least 14,000 beneficiaries, initiated with EC training activities in food crop, livestock, fish production, and provided tools and inputs to facilitate trade for farmers, ultimately reaching 30,000 returnees in 40 villages.
According to the document, the government and its partners provided tools and seeds to 6,500 farmers for cocoa, coffee, oil palm, lowland rice production, livestock.
However, it was not indicated in the document where the distribution took place but revealed further that the government and its partners including EC and NGOs aided trade for the farmers through rehabilitating 150km of feeder roads linking 12 communities and rehabilitating 12 mills and storage facilities.
According to the documents, the government also developed an agricultural policy statement and an indicative action plan and provided training and assistance to 2,000 ex-combatants in agricultural production (rice, vegetables, poultry, and aquaculture).
The government is also initiating a project to provide financial and technical assistance to rehabilitate more than 200 smallholder rubber and cocoa farms, restock more than 10 communities with short-cycle animals, rehabilitate more than 10 community fish ponds, and organize and strengthen more than 25 farmers’ groups and community-based organizations to engage in micro-credit and micro-enterprise activities.
Click here for a full table of the Deliverables
Writes,Thomas Kai Toteh
posted by Plucky @ 8:47 PM
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