The Legislative Budget Office (LBO) of the 55th Legislature has officially announced the calendar for the draft 2025 National Budget hearings with ministries and agencies. Starting Monday, December 9, 2024, these hearings will allow key government entities to present their revenue components before the Ways, Means, and Finance Committee of the House of Representatives.
According to a press release from the House of Representatives Press and Public Affairs Bureau, signed by Robert Haynes, the budget hearing will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. in the first-floor conference room of the Capitol Building. The first day’s session will feature presentations from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), the National Port Authority (NPA), and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). These agencies are expected to provide critical updates on revenue projections and allocations that form the foundation of the national budget.
The hearings will continue throughout the week, and each day will be dedicated to different sectors. On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the hearing will focus on four agencies: the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority. These agencies will address budgetary matters relevant to extracting and managing Liberia’s natural resources, including oil, fisheries, and timber.
Five key ministries and agencies will appear on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The National Road Fund, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Mines & Energy, and the Ministry of Transport will present their budgetary requests and revenue outlooks. These institutions play a crucial role in Liberia’s infrastructure development and foreign relations, and their presentations are expected to highlight the government’s priorities in these sectors.
On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the budget hearings will turn to the Ministry of Justice, Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the Ministry of Labor, and the Liberia Business Registry/Commerce and Industry. These agencies will address financial matters related to law enforcement, immigration, labor, and the promotion of business and industrial activities in the country.
The hearings will conclude on Friday, December 13, 2024, with the final day dedicated to budget presentations from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Centre for National Documents and Records Archives, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. These agencies will discuss their financial needs concerning governance, environmental protection, and communication infrastructure. As the hearings progress, the LBO emphasized that all presentations will be led by the heads of the respective institutions, with sector heads present to support the process. Institutions not listed in the scheduled hearings are encouraged to submit their budgetary requests for review. Those not appearing in person will be required to submit written presentations and may meet with relevant sub-committees as needed.
According to LBO, the hearings will culminate with the finalization of the revenue component of the draft 2025 National Budget. It adds that it anticipates the completion of the budgetary process following any outstanding or rescheduled hearings, allowing for the determination of key revenue numbers critical to the government’s fiscal planning.
