House Passes LACE Amendment Bill to Strengthen Community Development
Monrovia, Liberia – The House of Representatives has passed a landmark amendment bill aimed at strengthening the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), following the endorsement of a report submitted by its Joint Committees on Good Governance and Judiciary.
The legislation seeks to amend Chapter 50B of the New Executive Law, Title 12 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised, which established LACE as a key institution responsible for implementing community-based development initiatives across the country.
The passage of the bill comes after an extensive public hearing process during which lawmakers heard testimonies from stakeholders, development partners, and officials of LACE regarding the proposed amendments submitted by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.
According to lawmakers, the amendments are designed to enhance the agency’s institutional effectiveness, strengthen transparency and accountability mechanisms, and align its operations with the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
One of the major highlights of the legislation is the creation of a third Deputy Executive Director position with responsibility for Programs and Operations.
Legislators believe the new position will improve oversight of field operations, enhance donor coordination, and boost the implementation of development projects in communities nationwide.
The amended bill also restructures LACE’s Board of Directors by expanding its membership to include a legal professional, representatives of civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and development partners.
The move is intended to improve governance standards, strengthen compliance measures, and ensure broader stakeholder participation in decision-making.
Additionally, the legislation introduces a Board Incentives Policy aimed at attracting and retaining qualified professionals capable of providing strategic guidance and effective oversight of the agency’s activities.
In a bid to improve financial accountability and transparency, the amendment strengthens LACE’s financial management framework by centralizing the administration and reporting of funds generated through State-Owned Enterprises, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions, and concession agreements.
The bill also redesignates the position of Finance Director to better align the agency’s financial structure with modern public financial management practices.
Another key provision of the legislation institutionalizes District Development Funds through mandatory annual budgetary allocations, a measure expected to provide more predictable financing for grassroots development projects while advancing the government’s decentralization agenda.
Presenting the report to plenary, members of the Joint Committees emphasized that the amendments are critical to positioning LACE to effectively respond to emerging national development priorities while maintaining high standards of efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
With the House’s approval, the bill now advances to the next stages of the legislative process as prescribed by law.
Lawmakers described the passage of the amendment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public institutions and accelerate sustainable development initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Liberians across the country.
