10/06/2026
For Immediate Press Release
House Judiciary Committee Engages LACE Executive Director on Proposed Amendments to LACE Act
Monrovia, Liberia – June 10, 2026 – The House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary and Good Governance on Wednesday invited the Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), Mr. Julius K. Sele, to provide details and clarification regarding the proposed amendments to the LACE Act as requested by the President of the Republic of Liberia, H. E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The engagement followed the formal introduction of a communication from President Boakai addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Nagbe Koon, seeking legislative consideration of amendments to the Act establishing LACE. Subsequently, the matter was forwarded to the Committee on Judiciary and Good Governance to solicit the views of relevant stakeholders, legal practitioners, and other interested parties before making recommendations to the full plenary.
Among the major amendments proposed by the Office of the President are the creation of an additional Deputy Executive Director position responsible for Programs and Operations, the reconstitution of LACE's Board of Directors to include broader stakeholder representation, and the expansion of the Agency's mandate to oversee and manage Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from state-owned enterprises, concessionaires, and other corporate entities operating in Liberia.
The proposed legislation also seeks to strengthen financial management systems within the Agency by institutionalizing annual budgetary allocations for District Development Funds and introducing enhanced monitoring and oversight mechanisms aimed at improving accountability, transparency, and value for money in community development interventions.
Representing the House Judiciary and Good Governance Committee during the hearing were several lawmakers, including Hon. Saye S. Mianh, Hon. Johnson S. N. Williams, Hon. Sumo K. Mulbah, Hon. Jeremiah Sokan, Hon. Foday Fahnbulleh, and Hon. Jacob C. Debee II, among others.
Mr. Sele appeared before the committee accompanied by a team of renowned legal experts from prominent law firms, including Cllr. Samuel S. Pearson, Cllr. Abraham B. Sillah Sr., and Cllr. Lafayette B. Gould Sr.. The legal team expressed support for President Boakai's proposal to amend the Act that established LACE in 2004, arguing that the reforms would enhance the Agency's effectiveness in responding to Liberia's evolving development needs.
Presenting LACE's position, Executive Director Sele made a robust case for the proposed amendments, emphasizing that the Agency requires additional institutional capacity and operational flexibility to effectively address the growing challenges confronting communities across Liberia.
According to Mr. Sele, the proposed reforms would strengthen LACE's ability to coordinate development interventions, improve service delivery, enhance accountability in the management of public resources, and ensure that development benefits reach communities more efficiently.
Committee members posed several questions regarding the legal, administrative, and financial implications of the proposed amendments. In response, Mr. Sele provided detailed explanations and justifications, addressing concerns raised by lawmakers while highlighting the potential benefits of the reforms for local communities and national development.
The hearing forms part of the House Committee's ongoing consultative process to gather stakeholder input before presenting its findings and recommendations to the plenary for further deliberation and possible legislative action.
If approved, the amendments would represent one of the most significant reforms to the LACE Act since the Agency's establishment, with the potential to expand its role in community empowerment, development financing, and corporate social responsibility oversight throughout Liberia.
Executive Director Sele Signs Performance Bond at Executive Mansion
In a separate but significant development, the Executive Director of LACE, Mr. Julius K. Sele, on Wednesday signed the Government of Liberia's Performance Bond at the Executive Mansion. The signing ceremony formed part of the Government's performance management and accountability framework aimed at strengthening service delivery and ensuring that public institutions achieve their mandated objectives.
The Performance Bond outlines key targets, deliverables, and measurable outcomes that government institutions are expected to achieve during the fiscal year. By affixing his signature to the document, Mr. Sele reaffirmed LACE's commitment to supporting the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and advancing community-driven development initiatives across Liberia.
The signing of the Performance Bond comes at a time when LACE is seeking legislative reforms to strengthen its institutional capacity and expand its developmental role, underscoring the Agency's determination to enhance its impact on the lives of Liberians nationwide.