MONROVIA, Montserrado – Legislative scrutiny of the draft 2019 budget will finally kick off on Wednesday, July 30 after a period of delay following the official submission by the Executive Branch.

Isaac Redd, the director for press and public affairs at the House of Representatives, disclosed in a release that a joint legislative committee will begin examining the budget.

“The hearing will commence at 12:00 midday in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Honorable House of Representatives of the Capitol Building,” Redd said in the release.

Finance Minister Samuel Tweah had submitted the proposed budget to House Speaker Bhofal Chambers on June 29, two days to the end of the last fiscal year, after delaying the submission. Since then, lawmakers have delayed to begin examining the budget, but Deputy Speaker Prince Moye blamed the Finance Ministry for the delay.

Meanwhile, Redd said all heads of government ministries and agencies need to submit copies of their 2018/2019 budget performance reports, income, and cash flow statements, as well as statements of retained earnings, and strategic plans, as required by the Public Financial Management Law of 2009.

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Liberia Revenue Authority, and the National Port Authority are all expected to appear before the joint committee on Tuesday, but more than 40 government entities will appear before the committee between July 30 and August 9, 2019.

“The expenditure component hearing will commence immediately following the revenue portion hearing,” the release also revealed.

Featured photo by Zeze Ballah