Africa-Press – Liberia. The government has taken a significant step in advancing its ARREST (Agriculture, Roads, Electricity, Sanitation, Technology) development agenda, with an unprecedented $87 million allocation to the Public Sector Investment Projects (PSIP) in the draft 2025 national budget.
This move underscores President Joseph N. Boakai’s administration’s commitment to spurring economic growth, improving infrastructure, and enhancing public service delivery.
Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan unveiled the draft budget of $851.8 million, reflecting a 15.3% increase over the previous fiscal year. He emphasized the administration’s focus on fostering economic resilience and tackling critical national development challenges.
“This is the largest PSIP allocation in recent history and a direct reflection of our commitment to the ARREST agenda. These investments are pivotal to transforming Liberia’s socio-economic landscape,” Ngafuan stated on Tuesday when he appeared at the Information Ministry regular press briefing to give an update on the 2025 draft national budget.
The ARREST agenda prioritizes critical sectors that directly impact citizens’ livelihoods. Roads and bridges, a core component of the agenda, are expected to receive a significant portion of the PSIP allocation to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic activities in rural and urban areas.
Electricity, another key pillar, will benefit from targeted investments aimed at expanding access to affordable and reliable energy, supporting both residential and industrial growth.
Sanitation improvements and the modernization of public facilities are also high on the agenda, addressing long-standing challenges in waste management and public health.
Beyond infrastructure, the 2025 budget includes notable adjustments to public sector salaries. Approximately $30 million is earmarked for increasing compensation across various ministries, marking a significant step toward addressing wage disparities and improving public service delivery.
The administration projects a 5.8% GDP growth in 2025, bolstered by robust domestic revenue generation expected to reach $791.76 million. Ngafuan highlighted that the government remains steadfast in diversifying revenue streams while ensuring fiscal discipline.
“Liberia’s economy is on a positive trajectory. Our ARREST agenda lays the foundation for sustainable development, and this budget reinforces our resolve to meet the expectations of Liberians,” Ngafuan added.
As the budget moves to the legislative floor for scrutiny, lawmakers are expected to engage stakeholders, including local leaders, development partners, and civil society organizations, to ensure inclusivity in the allocation of resources.
Many analysts view the ARREST agenda and its accompanying budgetary support as a bold and transformative approach to addressing the country’s developmental needs. However, they caution that the success of these initiatives hinges on effective implementation and transparency.
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