Africa-Press – Liberia. With just 11 days remaining until the scheduled inauguration on January 22, 2014, concerns are mounting as the inaugural steering committee established by President-elect Joseph Boakai awaits full funding from the government.
Despite the approval of the committee’s budget of US$650,000 by President George Weah without alterations, sources reveal that the Ministry of Finance has not yet disbursed the funds for the upcoming ceremony.
A member of the Inaugural Steering Committee confirmed the lack of progress, stating, “I can confirm that as of today’s [Wednesday] afternoon, the government is yet to set up the account for the US$650,000 to be transferred to, so, yes, we have not received any funding,” while choosing to remain anonymous.
The source further disclosed that the outgoing government failed to allocate funds for the inauguration in the 2023 budget. Instead, the allocation was made in the 2024 Budget, which is pending approval by the Legislature. Consequently, vendors are being urged to prefinance their supplies for the ceremony.
As the inauguration approaches, a series of events have been scheduled to engage the public and build anticipation for the historic occasion. According to the Sub-Committee on Media and Communications, a prayer service is set to take place at the Benson Street Mosque on Friday, January 19. Following this, a Youth Concert is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, to celebrate the vibrant spirit of Liberia’s young population.
On Sunday, January 21, an intercessory service will be conducted at the Effort Baptist Church in Paynesville, starting at 10:00 am. This spiritual event aims to seek divine blessings for the incoming administration.
The highlight of the festivities is expected to be the inauguration ceremony on January 22, followed by a presidential luncheon at a venue yet to be announced. Further details and additional events leading up to the inauguration will be revealed to the public in the coming days.
The Committee underscores that security and logistical arrangements, as well as protocols for the smooth execution of the inaugural ceremony, are in the final stages of preparation, with various committees collaborating to ensure a seamless event.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
