The plenary of the Liberian Senate has on Thursday, August 12, 2021, finally concurred with the House of Representatives on the passage of the Special Budget for 2021 in the tone of US$347.9M.
Several Senators during Thursday’s session, heavily debated the pros and cons of the Special Budget, including the highlight of paramount sectors in the country.
The special budget runs from July 2021 to December 31, 2021.
In May of this year, the Executive Branch, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, submitted the draft Special Budget in the tone of US$301, 550,000.
Prior to the passage by the Liberian Senate on Thursday, August 12, 2021, the Lower House passed the Special Budget at US$342, 186,000 following the scrutiny process.
However, on Thursday August 12, 2021, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate concurred with the Lower House by raising the Special Budget to US$347,908,000.
The coronavirus vaccine, John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Mental Health, Ministry of Education, National Elections Commission (NEC) were all captured in the approved special budget with a significant amount for six months.
Others include Sexual Gender Based Violence, Domestic debts, National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), WASSCE, and others were also captured in the budget.
To avoid repeated public lashes, members of the Liberian Senate also appropriated money in the special budget for the modernization of the Senate, water system, repair of the Capitol Building, and the lighting system at the first branch of the Liberian Government.
Speaking following the submission of the Special Budget for legislative enactment, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County commended the Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Development and Public Accounts for the scrutiny done on the budget, but called for more seriousness in the future.
