The Grand Bassa County Service Center marked its 11th anniversary on Tuesday in Buchanan City, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening decentralized public service delivery across the county.
The event, held at Buchanan City Hall under the theme “Strengthening Decentralized Service Delivery for Inclusive Development and Citizens’ Empowerment,” brought together local officials, representatives from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the celebration, Service Center Coordinator Clinton Saylay outlined the institution’s progress and commended the government for expanding access to essential services. He revealed that within its first seven months of operation, the center served more than 3,400 people and generated nearly L$1.9 million in government revenue. According to him, these early results demonstrated the effectiveness of Liberia’s decentralization efforts and the government’s commitment to improving service delivery.
Saylay added that the center’s success has been driven by committed leadership and dedicated staff over the years. He expressed appreciation to both past and current employees for their service and encouraged them to maintain professionalism and integrity, noting that many citizens still depend on the facility for essential services.
In his keynote address, Senior Labor Inspector Janjay Lewis emphasized the importance of preserving key public service institutions. He explained that county service centers were established to reduce the need for citizens to travel long distances, particularly to Monrovia, to access government services.
While acknowledging the center’s achievements, Lewis pointed out that several critical services are still unavailable. He noted that many residents must still travel to Monrovia to obtain essential documents, such as the National Identification Card, due to a lack of necessary equipment at the center.
He called on the national government to fully equip the facility so that all key services can be accessed locally. Lewis also recalled that the county service center initiative began under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, when current President Joseph Nyuma Boakai served as Vice President. He expressed confidence in President Boakai’s continued support for decentralization and urged further improvements in service delivery.
Lewis concluded by noting that the Grand Bassa County Service Center serves not only residents of the county but also people from neighboring areas, making it a vital hub for government services in the region.
