By By: Domingo Dargbeh
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Liberian Senate has twisted into budget discussions by rejecting the House of Representatives’ recast budget proposal.
This decision, announced by Senator Prince Moye of Bong County, underscores a stark divide between the two legislative bodies over a $17.3 million deficit restoration.
On September 20, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the recast Budget for 2024 for which a total of $48,090,708 million was proposed as total austerity to the expenditure envelope.
This amount accounts for the projected revenue under performance of $23,010,195 million, while the balance of $18,119,487 million is intended for reclassification to address new priority programs.
Without new revenue measures, expenditure at year-end is projected at $721,535,239 million.
But following submission, the Senate’s in a release stated that it stance centers on concerns that the House’s proposed shift of $18.2 million could severely impact revenue collection, undermining assessments of State Owned Enterprises.
Instead, the Senate has opted to redirect $5.2 million toward essential sectors like Health and Education, aiming to protect existing programs already in place.
As both chambers remain separate in decision, the Senate has formed a conference committee to address the discrepancies, paving the way for what promises to be contentious negotiations.
The outcome of this budget battle could have far-reaching effects on Liberia’s fiscal health and public services, leaving citizens and stakeholders anxiously awaiting a resolution.
