By K. Ericson Sayee
MONROVIA, Oct 24 (LINA) – The Minister of Local Government Francis Sakila Nyumalin has disclosed that the ministry has not yet concluded its recent nationwide local cities assessment, assuring members of the House of Representatives that it will report to the body in due course, after its ongoing vigorous analysis before crafting its report.
Minister Nyumalin informed the Liberian legislature that, as far as he is concerned, no local city has been downgraded as of today’s date, noting that the ministry is currently analyzing its findings in partnership with its international partners before reaching out to the legislature.
Appearing before the House of Representatives through the inquiry launched by the House, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Nyumalin unveiled that the results from the assessment had not even been conveyed to the President, stressing that the matter is still undergoing a critical assessment.
He assured members of the 55th Legislature that as a former member of the Liberian parliament, particularly serving in the 54th legislature and a co-author of the Local Government Act of 2018– he will continue to be a respecter of legislative activities and that he will not usurp the function of the legislature.
Nyumalin then apologized to the House for the recent information shared via the national radio by the Deputy Minister for Urban Affairs at the Ministry of Local Government, Fatima Bintu Sirleaf, who announced the dissolution of local cities that lack some basic facilities.
According to the Minister, her pronouncement does not take immediate effect as being speculated in the public glare, but rather it was an update from the Ministry of Local Government about its countrywide assessment.
He promised the lawmakers that the ministry will report to the legislature in compliance with the Local Government Act of 2018.
Upon his presentation, Rep. Dixon W. Seboe provided a way forward for the matter, stating that the ministry, after its final analysis, should immediately report to the House of Representatives.
Lawmakers lauded the Minister of Local Government for honoring the call of the House and for providing further clarity on the trending matter that deserves a comprehensive understanding of the ministry’s action on behalf of the Liberian people that they represent.