The Legislative Budget Office (LBO) of the 54th Legislature has released a calendar of events for the 2023 budget hearing with ministries and agencies. The revenue component of the budget is under spotlight.
According to a press release from the House of Representatives Press and Public Affairs Bureau, signed by Robert Haynes, the budget hearing opens on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at the hour 10:00 a.m., with the Ministry of Finance and Development planning, the National Port Authority as well as the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation (LPRC), the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) taking the stand before the Ways, Means and Finance Committee of the House of Representatives.
Day-two, Wednesday, February 1, 2023 will bring together six agencies: Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA), Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Transport (MOT), Ministry of Justice, Liberian National Police and the Liberia Immigration Services (LIS).
On day-three, Thursday, February 2, 2023 another six Agencies of government are expected to appear: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Liberia Business Registry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labor, Post & Telecommunications, and the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection.
Day-four, Friday, February 3, 2023 will bring together the Ministry Public Works, National Road Fund, Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
On day-five, Monday, February 6, 2023 the Environmental Protection Agency, Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, and the Liberia Domestic Airport Authority will appear.
The committee will climax her duty of the revenue component of the draft national budget following the outstanding and rescheduled hearings and finalization of revenue numbers.
The House’s Press and Public Affairs release, quoting the LBO, underscored that all presentations will be led by heads of institutions and teams, and sector head of ministries will remain present for presentation by sector members.
Meanwhile, institutions that are not mentioned in the budget will be encouraged to present budgetary requests, while others not appearing will submit presentations and meet sub-committees as the case may be.
Any agency which fails to attend the budget hearings will have a budgetary cut not to exceed 10% of lines, excluding composition, and all presentations should be submitted at least three days prior to the hearing.