CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – The plenary of the House of Representatives has made a unanimous decision to scrutinize the 2024 fiscal budget, prompting a return of the budget to the executive for a thorough review.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
The decision was reached following a communication from Margibi County District #3 Representative Ellen Attoh Wreh, who requested that the 2024 fiscal budget be sent back to the executive for realignment. The plenary reached this decision during the fifth-day sitting of the first quarter of the first session of the 55th National Legislature.
Representative Attoh-Wreh stated, “I present my compliments and request that the 2024 Fiscal Budget be sent back to the Executive for realignment. Having perused the 2024 Fiscal Budget, I observed that the budget will need to be aligned with the agenda of the current government.”
She added, “In view of the above and due to the significance of the 2024 Budget, I would like you to kindly have it sent to the Executive for proper adjustment and realignment for the forward march of our country.”
It is worth noting that late last year, the Ministry of Finance submitted the Country’s Draft National Budget amounting to US$625.57 million for the fiscal year 2024 to the House of Representatives.
Deputy Finance Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Tanneh Geraldine Brunson, provided details during the submission process on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. She mentioned that 99.6 percent of the budget, totaling US$623.14 million, is projected as domestic revenue, while 0.39 percent, equivalent to US$2.43 million, is expected from external resources.
Deputy Minister Brunson highlighted that the total proposed expenditure for FY 2024 is US$625.57 million, with 95 percent allocated to recurrent expenditure (US$594.54 million) and 5 percent to Public Sector Investment Projects (US$31.03 million).
She explained that the first claims on available resources are focused on obligatory expenditure categories, including Debt Service (Domestic & External), Compensation for Employees, Grants, and Goods and Services for Education and Health Sectors.
The submission process aligns with Section 17.1 of the Public Financial Management Act, covering the period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. Deputy Minister Brunson acknowledged that the incoming administration may institute measures to adjust the budget in line with policy changes.
Apologizing for the delay in submission, she attributed it to the national preoccupation and distractions associated with the highly competitive elections. She also highlighted critical national programs and projects under the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP), including the National Road Fund in the Infrastructure and Basic Services Sector.