Monrovia, Liberia - March 23, 2009: The Government of Liberia and six United Nations agencies signed a joint programme in support of the County Support Team project. A project aimed at strengthening the capacity of sub-national administrations in Liberia. Over the next 2 years, the joint programme will increase its capacity building support and activities to enhance county level administrative, technical and institutional capacities, especially in areas of local statistics, information management and monitoring and evaluation, rehabilitation and construction of public buildings as well as providing and utilizing ICTs to enhance sub-national service delivery. The UN agencies who signed the joint programme include UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNOPS, UN-Habitat and UNMIL.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Jordan Ryan said the CST Project is a milestone and has supported the establishment of civil authority in the 15 counties in Liberia. He outlined " the renovation and construction of county administrative buildings, renovation of the Ministry of Internal affairs, support to the development of County Development Agendas, provision of transportation to county superintendents and provision of solar energy" as major contribution of the project in restoring civil administration in Liberia.
He said the CST provides a coherent and coordinated platform for UN agencies to join-up their efforts and work together with the government in the development process. Concluding that "the project is a classic example of the United Nations at work in Liberia" Internal Affairs Minister Ambulai Johnson commended Mr. Jordan Ryan for the leadership he provided through the CST project. He described the CST project as an effective mechanism to increase efficiency at the local level and accelerate decentralization and local governance. He pledged the government fullest support in the implementation of the joint programme.