The Government of Liberia in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has concluded series of workshops in Grand Bassa and Margibi Counties to begin the roll out of the new five-year Country Program Document. The program was launched on June 24, 2013.

A UNDP release said the government's partners representing 29 national institutions have been brainstorming and developing Annual Work Plans for implementation of their respective programs under a National Implementation Modality Framework.

The release quotes the Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC) Natty Davies as calling on technocrats under the Private Sector Development/Natural Resource Management and the Liberia Development Alliance Programs to remain focused and committed to delivering results necessary to change the lives of Liberians through their respective projects.

The UNDP release said the NIC Chairman spoke during a two-day inception workshop in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The workshop was organized by the National Investment Commission and the Ministry of Finance in partnership with the UNDP.

"Since the launch of this document, government's Partners representing various line ministries and agencies that are integral to the nine programs identified, agreed and aligned with the Agenda for Transformation, Vision 2030, the One UN Program and UNDP Country Program Document (CPD) have been brainstorming and developing Annual Work plans for implementation of their respective projects under a National Implementation Modality Framework (NIM)," the release stated.

Under this framework, according to the release, more authority is now vested in the Government of Liberia to utilize resources and funding from donors to execute programs that impact the lives of the population.

This followed a series of rigorous micro assessments conducted for 29 Government institutions to establish their levels of capacities, in the implementation and execution of programs under a national implementation plan.

The two-day hands-on activity brought together over 90 technicians from the Programme, Procurement, Finance, and Human Resource Units, of national institutions associated with these programs, to gain greater knowledge on the utilization of the tools, processes, procedures, timelines and sequencing in the implementation of programs and projects in an effective, efficient, timely, accountable and results-based manner.

The NIC Chairman stressed that delivery of results under these projects is critical to Liberia's development. He urged participants to drive the NIM Process in the spirit of coordination, collaboration and team building.

"You are the drivers of this process; appreciate that the decisions you make everyday will affect the lives of 3.5 million people; people you will never meet and know" Mr. Natty Davies pointed out.

Also speaking, UNDP Country Director Dominic Sam described the Private Sector Development/Natural Resource Management and the Liberia Development Alliance Programs as important and critical to Liberia's transition and development.

"This workshop is part of a test of viability that translates into development following long term planning," Mr. Sam noted.

He challenged beneficiaries to use the knowledge and skills to properly manage and account for donors' resources that will be entrusted to them.

Speaking earlier, the Superintendent of Grand Bassa County Etweeda Cooper emphasized the need for partners to take seriously the tasks and responsibilities associated with National Implementation as Liberia takes a leap into development over the next five years to become a better nation.

"We are drivers of our own development, recognizing that Liberia is standing strong and ready to move forward," Madam Cooper told the participants.