General News, Legislative Agenda, Press Release


 A high-power delegation from Lesotho comprising members of Parliament, electoral and legal technicians, led by Dr. Karabo Mokobocho-Mohlakoana, Commissioner of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), on Friday paid a courtesy visit to Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa of the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature.

Members of Leadership of the House of Representatives who were in attendance during the meeting were Chairman on Judiciary, Atty. Michael Thomas; Chairman on Elections and Inauguration, Rep. Luther Collins; Chairman on Ways, Means, Finance and Development Planning, Rep. Dixon Seeboe and Chairman on Education and Public Administration, Rep. Thomas Romeo Quioh.

 The courtesy visit of Lesotho aimed to gain valuable insights into the Liberia’s democratic election and referendum processes, which marks a significant step as Lesotho prepares for its upcoming constitutional referendum.

Commissioner Mokobocho-Mohlakoana emphasized importance of this visit, stating, “Lesotho is here to learn from Liberia’s experience in conducting democratic elections and referendums. As we prepare for our own constitutional referendum, understanding Liberia’s approach and methodologies is crucial for us.”


Deputy Speaker of the Lesotho National Assembly, Hon.Tsepang Tsita-Mosena added that the purpose of their visit is also part of ongoing reforms in Lesotho. She described the delegation’s visit as a peer-to-peer review, aiming to exchange knowledge and best practices in electoral processes and democratic governance.

 

In a warm reception, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr.  Koffa, welcomed the Lesotho delegation. He expressed his pleasure at seeing another African nation seeking to learn from Liberia’s experience.

“We are thrilled to host our Lesotho counterparts and share our experiences. Legislative exchanges like these are essential for fostering democratic development across the continent,” said Speaker Koffa.

 

 

 

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General News, Press Release

–𝑨𝒔 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

 

President Joseph N. Boakai, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has submitted to the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature, the 2024 Draft Recast Budget.


Submitting the Recast Budget Friday, 16 August, Acting Finance Minister Anthony Myers said the budget is based on their observation of the performance in the first six months of the year and a need to rebalance the budget in response to revenue performance and the Government desire to protect critical expenditure that is of priority for the Country.


In a letter from H.E President Joseph N. Boakai Sr, to the Honorable Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, it says the proposed resource envelope for the FY2024 recast budget is projected at 738.8 million comprising of a risk-adjusted portfolio of US$721.5 million plus US$17.3 to be raised through the following revenue mobilization measures: increment in GST on a selected set of goods and services that have little or no significant social impacts, increase in non-concessional mineral royalties, an executive order for surcharge on imports that compete with domestic manufacturing outputs and sale of debt instruments.

 

The President’s communication further that the proposed expenditure for FY2024 recast budget is shared between US$672.3 million or 91 percent for recurrent expenditure and US$66.6 million or 9 percent for Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP). Among the key recurrent expenditures are debt services to commercial banks arising from constructure projects and interests on debt instruments, and to multilateral institutions in order to unlock opportunities for financing medium-term development priorities. Other recurrent expenditures are compensation of employees, operational goods and services for Government entities and subsides, grants and transfers to governmental and non-governmental institutions in the Health, education and social service sectors.

 

Receiving the Draft Recast Budget on behalf of the 55th Legislature, Speaker Koffa urged the Ministry of Finance Development Planning to submit all supporting documents for the Recast Budget to aid the Ways, Means and Finance Committee during its scrutiny.

 

The Honorable Speaker, in order to improve the budget process, has announced additional measures aimed at investigating allegation of budget alteration and has since named a special investigative committee chaired by Bong County Electoral District 4 Representative Robert F.  Womba and co-Chair by Montserrado County Electoral District 7 Representative Emmanuel Dahn. The members include; Hon. Thomas Romeo Quioh, Hon. Sekou Kanneh, and Hon. Sumo Mulbah.

 

Speaker Koffa said the Legislature remains committed in the fight against corruption and will promote to the high standards transparency and accountability in Government.

 

The 2024 Budget was approved by the 55th Legislature in April to the tune of US$738,859,827, an increase of 6.7 percent from the version submitted by the Executive through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, which was US$692 million.

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