By K. Ericson Sayee
MONROVIA, April 27 (LINA) – The Executive’s proposed recast supplementary budget in the tone of US$53 million has been passed by the House of Representatives, topping up the national budget from US$1.249 billion to US$1.302 billion.
After a thorough review, the Committees on Ways, Means, and Finance and Public Account reported that the document represents a balanced fiscal adjustment in the available resource envelope, prioritizing stability for targeted interventions in key sectors critical to national development.
Explaining on how the US$53 million was derived, the report indicated that the US$40 million is funded by the World Bank in the FY 2025, with additional US$8 million as bonus from the World Bank for revenue over-performance, and the remaining US$5 million was obtained from the Liberian domestic revenue surplus.
At the final sitting of the ten-days sitting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, April 23, 2026, which commenced on April 9 at the request of Pres. Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., the Committees noted that the supplementary budget is essential to sustain government services and to avoid disruption, to address payroll and operational gaps, affecting frontline sectors, strengthening national security and institution stability.
Key sectors that were impacted in the envelope include, Public Administration, accounting for US$14.55 million, focusing on maintaining core government operations, fiscal management, foreign relations, and settlement of outstanding obligations.
Others include Health US$8.52 million, Security and Rule of Law US$8.43 million, Education US$7.25 million, Social Development US$1.75 million, Local Government US$1.30 million, transport support for public tertiary institutions, among others.
“We therefore respectfully urge plenary to consider and approve the recast supplementary budget to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and support sustained economic management”, the Ways, Means, and Finance and Public Account of the House of Representatives called on members of the House to act.
Following the reading of the essential report, Rep. Foday Fahnbulleh of Bong County District #7 proceeded with the motion calling on plenary to endorse the report so as to pass the supplementary budget and forward it to the Senate for concurrence.
“Having listened to the well-read report from the Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance, I move if I can obtain a second that the said report be received, adopted, and sent to the Senate for concurrence; thereafter be sent to the President for it to be passed into law”, Rep. Fahnbullah stated in his motion.
After being seconded, the Plenary of the House of Representatives unanimously passed the recast supplementary budget, with 40 lawmakers voting for, zero against, and zero abstain, paving the way for the budget to be sent to the Liberian Senate for concurrence.
Meanwhile, after the passage of the additional budget, Rep. P. Mike Jurry, Chairman on Ways, Means, and Finance, told legislative reporters that during hearings tough questions were asked, as it was part of the vigorous exercise before coming to the passage of the supplementary budget.
He added that the said budget is as a result of over-performance in the revenue space, along with support from the World Bank. The chairman said the budget targeted pressing national needs, including security, health, and education.
According to him, the outlined sectors are significant to the people as it directly affects their lives and activities.