By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The Majority of the House of Representatives has passed the 2025 Draft Budget, totaling $880 million, pending approval from the Senate. The budget was initially submitted at $851 million but was increased after extensive review and scrutiny during the budget hearings.
The passage of the budget took place at the Monrovia City Hall, 1st Street, Sinkor. Lawmakers engaged in rigorous discussions and evaluations, leading to the revised figure that reflects the government’s priorities and anticipated expenditures.
The Senate is now set to deliberate on the proposed budget. If the Senate approves a different amount, a conference committee will be formed to reconcile the discrepancies between the two chambers. This collaborative process is essential to ensure that both legislative bodies reach a consensus on the final budget.
The approval of the budget is critical for funding various government initiatives and services, impacting sectors such as education, health, infrastructure, and public safety. However, it comes at a time when the House is in crisis with two Speakers (Cllr. Koffa and Rep. Koon).
The Draft Budget Submission
On November 18, 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. presented the Fiscal Year 2025 Draft National Budget to the National Legislature, totaling US$851.8 million, which includes Core Revenue of US$833 million and Contingent Revenue of US$18.8 million. This draft represents a 15.3% increase over the 2024 Recast Budget total appropriation of US$738.9 million, aimed at fulfilling key priorities of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) while addressing debt service and other governmental obligations.
President Boakai urged lawmakers to prioritize the timely consideration and approval of the budget to ensure effective execution starting in January 2025. The submission complied with Section 17.1 of the 2019 Amendment and Restatement of the Public Financial Management Act 2009.
The budget was received by the Deputy Chief Clerk and presented to the “Majority Bloc,” a move that has not sat well with Speaker Koffa, who is now seeking a declarative judgment to challenge the actions of the Majority Bloc regarding the handling of the 2025 national budget as unconstitutional.
