By Jerromie S. Walters
The House of Representatives has approved President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s request for over 41 million United States dollars, to cover the government operations for the month of February 2024.
Last Thursday, the House of Representatives- HOR, unanimously requested its Ways, Means, and Finance committee, to review President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’ plead to spend a little over 41 million United States dollars, to cover the government operations for the month of February 2024.
Following a vigorous review, the House Ways, Means, and Finance Committee presented its report Tuesday, during the regular session. The lawmakers unanimously concurred with the President’s proposal, as 38 of them voted for the request to be granted, two voted against and two of them abstained.
The voting process came following a motion from Montserrado County District #13 Representative Edwin P. Flomo, that the President’s request be granted and forwarded to the Senate for concurrence. The President’s request will be forwarded to the Senate for concurrence
In its report, the House Ways, Means and Finance committee noted: “The Joint Committee on Wavs Means & Finance and Public Accounts & Expenditure, to whom
President’s communication was assigned, having conducted the required constitutional process legislative due diligence, submit this report to Plenary with accompanying reason. The purpose of the communication is to keep operations of the government running ending the passage of the National Budget.”
It says, “On February 15, 2024, plenary of the House of Representatives, forwarded to the Joint Committee, a communication from President Joseph N. Boakai, seeking authorization to spend the amount of US$41,300,000.00 to cover government operations for February 2024.
Joint Committee Action.
The Joint Committee recommended that the report be passed with the changes made supported by a resolution and be sent to the Senate for concurrence.
In his communication to the House last week, President Boakai said because the draft budget for the fiscal year 2024 was returned and is being finalized for resubmission, the operations of the government have to continue to avoid a shutdown.
The Liberian President said given the above, he is seeking authorization to spend the amount of US$41,300,000.00 as reflected in the detailed attachment.
President Boakai reemphasized that the amount will cover the Government operations for February 2024.
