By: The People News Online
Monrovia — The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has concluded a three-day internal budget hearing for Fiscal Year 2026, marking what officials described as a major milestone in inclusive and participatory financial planning.
The exercise, which wrapped up on Wednesday, brought together heads of departments and technical units to review both revenue and expenditure components of the Authority’s operations — a shift from the traditional top-down approach that previously excluded key departmental inputs.
According to Mr. Desiré Satia, LiMA’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer, the new process reflects a reform-driven approach championed by Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, **Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr.
“In the past, the fate of all departments was decided without the involvement of their respective heads in the form of budget hearings,” Mr. Satia explained. “That approach undermined inclusive leadership and limited the full implementation of core functions. This internal budget process now ensures that departmental inputs are not only heard but also integrated into the institution’s long-term strategy.”
The three-day sessions began with revenue deliberations, followed by detailed expenditure hearings. Each department presented its plans, aligning proposed spending with the Authority’s multi-year strategic priorities.
Mr. Satia emphasized that the harmonization of departmental spending with LiMA’s five-year strategic plan remains central to achieving sustainable financial discipline and institutional growth.
“After examining the revenue side, which consolidates inputs from all revenue-generating departments, we also gave immediate attention to expenditures,” he noted. “This ensures that financing is properly aligned with the institution’s strategic objectives.”
Following the conclusion of the internal hearings, the FY2026 draft budget will move to final consolidation and review by the Budget Committee before submission to the Board of Directors for approval.
Officials at the hearing hailed the process as a symbol of LiMA’s evolving management culture — one that promotes accountability, transparency, and collective decision-making across the Authority.