MONROVIA, Liberia — The Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA) is seeking increased support in the proposed 2027 national budget to improve public records management, rehabilitate archive facilities and expand access to its services across Liberia.

Director General Hon. D. Nelson Bearngar outlined the agency’s financial and operational challenges during an executive budget hearing on Monday, October 12, pointing to low staff salaries, damaged facilities and the need to modernize records management.

Bearngar said some employees receive gross monthly salaries as low as US$150, despite the agency’s responsibility to preserve official government documents and provide important services to the public.

“National Archieve is one of the agencies that have a very low salary,” Bearngar said, describing the situation as one of the institution’s major challenges.

He said the agency had worked with relevant government institutions to improve staff compensation, but financial constraints continued to affect its operations.

Expansion of Services

The Director General said CNDRA is working to bring its services closer to people outside Monrovia, where access to official documentation can require costly travel.

The agency reported progress toward establishing an office in Ganta, Nimba County, and outlined plans to expand its presence in other parts of the country, subject to available funding.

During the hearing, budget committee members encouraged the agency to consider additional locations, including densely populated areas and counties where residents face difficulties accessing its services.

CNDRA also plans to acquire motorcycles to support county-level operations and improve staff mobility.

Damaged Archives Raise Concerns

Bearngar identified the rehabilitation of records storage facilities as another priority, saying one repository facility on 25th Street was seriously damaged.

He said renovation work had begun as the agency works to improve the preservation of government records and other historical materials.

The agency also plans to develop designs for additional county libraries and strengthen its records management systems.

“Our plan is to regularize about 34 volunteers,” Bearngar said, explaining that the workers serve in service centers and participate in technical operations.

He said regularizing the volunteers would support improved staffing and compensation, alongside professional training.

Digital Records Management

CNDRA is also working to strengthen the management and preservation of official documents through digital transformation and a proposed records management policy.

The agency said the policy is nearing completion and is intended to improve how public records are handled and maintained.

Bearngar stressed the agency’s responsibility to preserve official records, legal instruments and historical materials for public use and future generations.

The funding approved under the proposed 2027 national budget will help determine how much of the agency’s planned expansion, staff development and archive rehabilitation can be implemented.