Africa-Press – Liberia. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the draft national budget for next year, to the tune of US$785.6 million, before adjournment on December 17.
On December 14, the House during its 16th day sitting of the Special Session voted to use Tuesday’s quorum for today. Accordingly, during Special Session, either House can go to a session on non-sessional days and non-formal working days; including Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The Daily Observer has gathered that the Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget Committee of the House of Representatives has submitted the budget yesterday during an executive or secret session, as there were some contrary views and a lack of unanimous vote. There are expectations that a simple majority of 37 or a majority of 49 might reach today following intensive consultations during the submission.
Reliable reports gathered that the Executive Branch through its Liaison Officer, David Saydee, former Maryland County lawmaker and Minister of State Nathaniel McGill, who is also Chief of Staff to President George Weah, are lobbying for the passage before the December 18 adjournment.
Up to press time yesterday, it was further gathered that about 30 Representatives have been approached and subsequently consented to vote in favor, while the remaining 19 Representatives have been scouted to get unanimous votes instead of a simple majority of 37.
Whether or not the Liberian Senate may concur has not been confirmed but, reports say, the Liberian Senate may or may not concur before adjourning on December 18.
It may be recalled that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, on behalf of President George M. Weah and the Executive Branch of Government, submitted the 2022 National Budget to the Legislature on November 18. It is the first national budget for the calendar year from January 1 to December 31, 2022.
The submission is in line with section 65 of the amendment and restatement of the PFM act of 2009, which provides for the change in the fiscal year and for the formulation of a special national budget of six months to pave the way for the transition to the new fiscal year, which begins in 2022.
The budget should have been submitted in October, according to the amended PFM Law of 2009. Therefore it was about 17 days late.
In figures, the priorities are Heath: US$83,193,300; Education: US$87,896,824; Public Administration Sector: US$242,623,878; Infrastructure & Basic Services: US$ 42,484,608; Energy & Environmental Sector: US$18,913,902; Security and rule of law Sector: US$92,394,339; Transparency & Accountability Sector: US$29,115,887; Municipal Government Sector: US$25,482,002; Agriculture Sector: US$5,274,754; Socal Development Services Sector: US$9,513,676.
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