— Holds Public Hearings On Nat’l Budget Starts Wednesday
IPNEWS: A distinguished delegation from the United States House of Representatives Democracy Partnership is slated to convene with House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa on Monday, April 15th, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will take place at the Speaker’s Capitol Building Office in Monrovia, Liberia.
The primary objective of the delegation’s visit is to extend support for the budget process participation within the Parliament of Liberia. This initiative underscores the commitment of both nations to fostering transparent and inclusive governance practices.
The delegation will be made of esteemed members including Ann Futrell from the Congressional Budget Office, Christian Walker, a former U.S. House Staff member representing Cornerstone Government Affairs Group, and Alisa Burn-Murdoch from the Parliament of Scotland, they will engage in discussions with Honorable Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. The agenda will center on explaining the objectives of the program and gaining insights into the management of budget participation within the House of Representatives.
Additionally, the U.S. House Delegation is scheduled to convene with the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mildred Sayon, later the same day at 4:00 p.m. This meeting aims to deepen the understanding of the current budget process, explore avenues for enhanced public engagement, and examine procedures for amending standing orders.
On Tuesday, April 16th, at 4:00 p.m., the Delegation will engage with the Press and Public Affairs Department of the House. The focus of this meeting will revolve around leveraging digital platforms to augment citizen participation in the budget process, thereby fostering a more inclusive and responsive governance framework.
The collaboration between the United States House of Representatives Democracy Partnership and the Legislature of Liberia underscores a shared commitment to advancing democratic principles and facilitating citizen-centric governance practices.
Meanwhile, the 55th Legislature Joint Committee on Ways, Means and Finance will on Wednesday commence public hearing on the 2024 draft National Budget, 17 April in the joint Chambers of the Capitol Building.
The hearings will be presided over by the joint committee chair Rep. Dixon W. Seboe and co-chair by Sen. Prince Moye.
According to House Press and Public Affairs Director Robert Haynes the public hearing will begin at 9:00Am with various ministries, corporations and agencies of government appearing to defend their respective budgetary allotments.
Haynes in a statement said the Expenditure Hearing followed a week long Revenue Component which was held behind closed doors.
The Legislative Budget Office has since released the schedule for hearings on the Expenditure Component of the FY 2024 Draft National Budget in the tone of US$692 Million.
Wednesday, 17 April beginning at 9:00am-10Am the Ministry of Finance Development Planning (MFDP) will take the stand to defend her budget; while the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) will follow from 10:00Am-11:00Am, the Ministry of Public Works will come in from 11:00am to 12:00 mid-day then a lunch break.
After lunch the following entities will appear, Health from 2:00pm-3:00pm, John F. Kennedy (JFK) from 3:00pm-4:00pm, National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) will take the stand from 4:00pm-5:00pm and Day one will conclude with the Jackson F. Doe Hospital.
Day two Thursday, 18 April at 9am-10am the Education Ministry will appear, followed by University of Liberia from 10am-11am, the William V.S Tubman University will take the stand from 11am-12:00 noon before lunch break.
1pm-2pm appearing will be the West African Examination Council (WAEC); while Booker T. Washington Institute (BWI) will pick up from 2pm-3pm, the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) will take the stand from 3pm-4pm paving way for the Ministry of Agriculture 4pm-5pm thus climaxing the day.
Day three Friday 19 April, will see the Ministry of Transport 9am-10am, the Ministry of Justice from 10am-11am, Liberia National Police from 11am-12:00 noon, from 12:00-1pm the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) before lunch break.
2pm-3pm Liberia National Fire Service, ministry of National Defense from 3pm-4pm concluding day three.
Day four (4) Monday, 22 April Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) at 9am-10am will take the stand; while Commece and Industry Ministry will take up from 10am-11am, Gender, Children and Social Protection from 11am-12:00 noon followed by General Services Agency (GSA) FROM 12:00-1PM before lunch break.
Following lunch break the National Elections Commission (NEC) will take the stand from 2pm-3pm as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) will climax the dayโs hearing from 3pm-4pm.
Day five (5) will see the Civil Service Agency (CSA) appearing from 9am-10am, the National Disaster Agency will take it from 10am-11am, Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) 11am-12:00 noon then followed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy from 12:00-1pm before lunch break.
After lunch National Transit Authority (NTA) will appear from 2pm-3pm, Board of Tax Appeal from 3pm-4pm, Judiciary from 4pm-5pm and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) will close the hearings.
Meanwhile the Director of Press said the Committee has requested that all Ministries, Agencies and Corporations are to come along with their Budget Performance Report for Calendar Year 2023 and their FY 2024 Draft Budget.
