GOL Releases 2nd yr progress report on PRS Implementation

The Government of Liberia has release progress report on second year implement of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, otherwise known as the Lift Liberia development agenda. At the development steering committee meeting on July 7, 2010 at the Mansion, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Liberia’s development partners said they are pleased with the level of progress been made so far in the PRS implementation. She challenged all government ministries and agencies to ensure that a full implementation of the development strategy is achieved by the time it ends in June 2011.

Progress Report on Lift Liberia: 2 Years and Beyond
Background

In April 2008, the Government of Liberia launched an ambitious agenda called the Lift Liberia Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).  The strategy is a set of priority interventions geared toward reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Liberia’s PRS was developed through broad-based consultations with Liberians from every part of Liberia. During 2007, Liberians from every village and town met at district consultations to develop a district development agenda (DDA) which then fed into a county development agenda (CDA).

The PRS is a three (3) year, medium term development agenda that was estimated at US$1.6 billion. The implementation of the agenda began in April 2008 with GoL committing to fund US$500 million through the national budget over the three year period: 2008 – 2011. Development partners on the other hand agreed to fund the financing gap of US$1.1 billion.

Second Year Implementation Progress

March 2010 ended two years of PRS implementation. When compared with first year implementation where only 20 out 107 interventions were completed (20%) , the second report shows great improvement over year one: out 225 priorities due, 181 (80%) were completed with the reaming 44 deliverables been  “off track” even though significant  progress was made on completing them.

Report Methodology

The Second Annual Progress Report is slightly different from the year one report in that while the year one report logically communicated output, the year two report is more focused on outcomes. After two years of intensive work, Liberians are beginning to see visible signs of development progress and report captures that progress.

Executive Summary

As a result of the accomplishments made under the Lift Liberia agenda to date, the living conditions of ordinary people are beginning to show marked improvement.

All developmental, governance and social indicators are showing year-over-year improvement. These improvements are not mere accidents; they are results of a more robust implementation strategy led by the government with the support of development partners, civil society, and the private sector.

Among the successes scored thus far, Liberians are seeing the construction of more paved roads (over 50 miles); rehabilitation of primary and secondary literate roads (over 1000 miles); installment of bridges (8 bailey bridges); construction and rehabilitation of health facilities (more than 50 clinics & health centers); construction and rehabilitation of educational institutes (more than 175 schools & colleges); increase in the provision of safe drinking water (50 percent of the population have access), increase in tele-density (32% of population); increase in primary school enrollment (24%); increase in foreign direct investment (more than 10 forestry and mining concessions ratified); and host of other public investments and projects.

The general economic condition has improved with a 4.6 per cent increase in GDP; 27 per cent reduction in the balance of trade; real inflation decreased from 17.5 per cent to 7.4 per cent; average bank lending rate dropped to 14.2 per cent; national budget increased by more than 300 per cent between 2005 and 2009; 72 per cent reduction in foreign debt (from 4.7 billion to 1.3 billion at March 2010); more than 50 per cent of the Liberian population are considered food secured; agricultural sector grew by 4 per cent;  and the prevalence of poor food consumption dropped by 7 per cent. 

Implementation Statistics

After series of interventions, including a high level Cabinet Retreat, introduction of results-based management (RRA) and 90-day action planning, the results are show below:
 
Summary Annual Progress Report

Pillar 1: Peace & Security

    Deployment plans for all Security Institutions are ready for implementation
    More than 2000 officers (about 4% women) of the AFL are performing their citizen-soldier duties
    The Liberian National Coast Guard has been officially launched (40 officers)
    Police strength continues to grow: nearly 4,000 officers in the force
    Major crimes such as armed robbery, arson, and SGBV are on the noticeable decline.                    
       SGBV is down 4% between 2008 and 2009
    Crime statistics gathering is improving – more people are reporting
    500 community police forums in all 15 counties is improving police relations
     Police emergency response strength is increasing (336 ERU & 200 PSU)
    100 immigration officers have completed various training programs in Liberia and Ghana
    75 officers completed training in Firefighting – 1st & largest since 1978
    Women participation in security operations is on the increase

Pillar 2: Economic Revitalization

    Completion of floating triggers under HIPC leading to US$4.6 billion debt relief
    Fiscal austerity measures kept cash-base balanced budget on course
    Economy grew at 4.6% in spite of global economic crisis
    Public Financial Management Law and attending regulations published and implementation is in full   swing
    Inflation kept in single digit at 7.5% (down from 12% in 2008)
     51% of population considered food secure
    Agriculture sector grew by 4%
    39% increase in the production of rice (from 144,000 mt in 2007 to 200,000 mt in 2009)
    Revised Investment Incentive Code passed
     Business registration process streamlined: new business registration up
    Automated System for Custom Data (ASYCUDA) launched
     SME Unit has been set up at the Ministry of Commerce
    Revenue collection improved leading to 300% increase between 2006 & 2009
    Mining Cadastre Information System installed

Pillar 3: Governance & Rule of Law

    All governance indicators are showing improvement: voice & accountability, political stability, rule of law, control of corruption, government effectiveness, and regulatory quality
    Government Asset Management system has been installed
    Established a Land Commission
    Completed a Civil Service Reform Strategy that is being implemented
    Process of reducing pre-trial detention is in place
    Public Defenders are assigned in all 15 counties
    National Decentralization Policy approved by Cabinet awaiting Legislative actions
    Judicial training institute established

Pillar 4: Infrastructure & Basic Services

    Increase in accessibility to healthcare: more than 50 health clinics and health centers constructed
       Tappita Referral Hospital (300 bedroom), CH Dunbar Hospital (55 bedroom)
    Increase in the number of trained health workers from 3,966 (2005) to 5,813 (2009) – TNIMA is tuition free & A.M. Dologthi students receive monthly stipends
    Increase in primary school enrollment: 488,436 (2005) to 605,236 (2009)
    More than 175 school buildings constructed or renovated Community colleges in Nimba & Sinjee to open this year
    New UL campus in Fendell to open in September
    Improvement in the transportation of goods, services and people
a.    More than 50 miles of road paved (target is 100 miles
b.    991 miles of primary laterite roads rehabilitated (target is 1,187 miles)
c.    219 miles of second laterite rehabilitated (target is 300 miles)
    50% of population has access to safe drinking water (increased from 25% in 2008)
    32% of population has access to telephone & 19% to internet
    Electricity generation has increased from 2.65 MW (EPP1) to 10 MW (EPP2)
    Rural Renewable energy is picking up steam: kerosene lanterns are being replaced with solar rechargeable lanterns in the Southeastern towns and villages
    Human waste collection has increased from 17 to 25%