LEROY M. SONPON، III
Africa-Press – Liberia. Members of the 54th legislature are now constrained to revisit the US$759.4 million recast budget after its initial passage backfired.
The budget was submitted recently by President George Weah to address the country’s urgent financial needs after the original approved budget of US$US$782 million became untenable, resulting in a shortfall of US$23.5 million.
The shortfall, according to the President, represents 3.5 percent of the total projected domestic revenue of US$672 million.
One key concern raised by the majority of lawmakers is the manner and form in which the budget was passed without any serious discussions. They claimed that the lack of inclusivity has led to growing distrust among the public and furthered suspicions of potential corruption.
But after an intense atmosphere that characterized the session on Thursday, the House has signed a “Resolution of Certificate of Extension” for an additional one week, which is from July 24 – 31, to redeliberate on the recast budget.
The Friday resolution, signed in secret session, follows a two-day controversial debate about the passage of the US$759.4 million recast budget.
The decision to pass the recast was made last Tuesday by “a handful” of lawmakers. However, on Thursday, majorities of the lawmakers argued that the budget was passed by only a few lawmakers in complete disregard for established laws and procedures.
The House on June 18, constituted itself into a committee of a whole and passed the budget, invoking a clause within its rules that allowed it to override a provision calling for all bills to be read three times.
But the move backfired, as most lawmakers claimed that “Plenary has paused debate on the budget until each lawmaker was served a copy.”
Meanwhile, the Daily Observer has gathered that the agitation of majority lawmakers aimed to force the Executive to pay all of the benefits owed to lawmakers who are expected to begin their reelection campaign soon.
“We are going for elections. We need money, and the Executive must pay all of our benefits honorably due us,” said a female lawmaker who begged for anonymity. “Some of us have less than 20 days to be in Monrovia. We need to be in the interior until after the elections.”
“Campaigning is expensive; we need our benefits,” another lawmaker said. “If we don’t get what is due us, the same thing that happened to lawmakers in the 53rd Legislature might happen to us if we don’t get our benefits before the campaign starts.”
According to reports, on Monday the Senate will have a Special Session to decide on the concurrence of the one-week extension and the recast budget.
Meanwhile, the House resolution was signed by more than 25 lawmakers and has been forwarded to the Senate for concurrence.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
