House Passes LRD 247.8 Billion 2026 National Budget
By Amos Harris
IPNEWS: The House of Representatives on Thursday approved Liberia’s 2026 National Budget totaling LRD 247.8 billion (approximately US$1.249 billion), forwarding the fiscal plan to the Senate amid growing criticism that the spending framework provides little relief for low-paid civil servants grappling with rising living costs.
The budget was passed following a motion introduced by Grand Gedeh County District #1 Representative Jeremiah Garwo Sokan and adopted by an overwhelming majority of lawmakers.
In the final vote, 42 representatives voted in favor, two voted against, and there were no abstentions.
The House acted on a report jointly prepared by the Committees on Ways, Means and Finance and Public Accounts, which said the budget was formulated using an average exchange rate of LRD 198.3 to US$1, as provided by the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL).
According to the committees, the fiscal plan includes enhanced oversight provisions requiring ministries, agencies, commissions, and state-owned enterprises to submit regular financial and performance reports to the Legislature.
Despite its passage, the budget has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, civil servants, and civil society actors who argue that it fails to address the worsening economic conditions facing public sector workers.
They note that the budget contains no general salary increase for civil servants, many of whom continue to earn between US$100 and US$150 per month, amounts widely regarded as insufficient amid rising food, transportation, housing and healthcare costs.
Several critics also pointed out that many ministries and agencies did not appear before the budget committee during deliberations, raising concerns about the depth of scrutiny applied to spending requests.
Additionally, some state-owned enterprises reportedly made no financial contributions to the national budget, further straining government revenue.
The only dissenting votes were cast by Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility and Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko, who cited concerns about transparency, accountability, and the allocation of national resources.
While their opposition did not block the bill’s passage, it highlighted persistent questions over whether the budget adequately prioritizes social services, wage adjustments, and direct economic benefits for the workforce that sustains government operations.
Civil servants, meanwhile, are calling on the Legislature particularly the Senate to revise the budget to reflect current economic realities.
Some have appealed to what they describe as the “House of Elders” to “do the needful” by pushing for salary adjustments before the budget is finalized.
Public workers are also urging President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to intervene, arguing that the current wage structure is incompatible with present-day living conditions and fails to support family households.
With House approval secured, the 2026 National Budget Bill now moves to the Liberian Senate, where lawmakers are expected to subject the spending plan to closer scrutiny.
As debate looms, pressure is mounting on the Legislature to ensure the national budget serves not only as a fiscal blueprint, but as a meaningful instrument for easing economic hardship particularly for Liberia’s lowest-paid civil servants.
