IPNEWS: Ongoing budget hearing been carried out by members of the ‘Majority bloc’, may suffer serious setback as organizers of a planned citizen protest seeks Supreme Court halt on proceedings.
The chairman of the ‘ Concern Citizen Movement for the Protection of Constitution, and the Rule of Law in Liberia’, former Grand Bassa Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh, tells the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper that all is now set for a formal petition to the Supreme Court to place a halt on further proceedings of the ongoing budget hearing as it is ‘illegal and violates’ the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia.
Baikpeh stated that it was time Liberian standup to challenge elements who grossly violate the Constitution of Liberia as the ‘supreme’ pathway for the maintenance and protection of Democracy.
He also said the ‘ Concern Citizen Movement for the Protection of Constitution, and the Rule of Law in Liberia’, will begin as part of series of non-stop protest action Tuesday, December 17, at 6:00A.M. on the grounds of the Capitol Building to petition both the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate to respect the recent ruling of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia and return to doing the business of the Liberian people.
Baikpeh stated that the action by the ‘Concern Citizen Movement for the Protection of Constitution, and the Rule of Law in Liberia’, on Capitol Hill is part of series of actions to be taken until lawmakers realize that the power is in inherit in the people, and as representatives of the people, they are obligated to do the business of the people and act on their behave.
On the question of whether or not the planned protest might disrupt the ongoing budget hearing, former Grand Bassa Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh stated that as far the ‘ Concern Citizen Movement for the Protection of Constitution, and the Rule of Law in Liberia’, is concern the ongoing proceedings by the ‘majority bloc’ are illegal and lacks the legal jurisdiction to preside over a national budget hearing that is in the interest of the people.
Janjay Baikpeh dismissed rumors that the planned protest is a CDC led protest, stressing that the embodiment of the protesters come from all citizens of Liberia whose persuasion is to ensuring Liberia remain peaceful and respect for the constitution and the rule of Law are not compromised at any given time.
On last Monday, December 9, 2024, members of the ‘Majority bloc’ seeking to remove House Speaker Fonati Koffa, even though they do not have the required number in with Article 49 and 33 of the Liberian constitution to remove a Speaker, began Budget hearing process for the fiscal year 2025 officially.
At that hearing Senior government officials, including Acting Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Tanneh G. Brunson, were present urging members of the majority bloc of the House of Representatives to expedite their review of the proposed budget.
During her appearance before the Chairman and Members of the Ways, Means, and Finance Committee of the House, Hon. Brunson emphasized the importance of the budget in advancing the nation’s development, even though the ruling from the Supreme Court on December 6, into ongoing crisis called for return to ‘Status Quo Ante’.
Status Quo Ante in law: ‘is a Latin phrase that means “the previously existing state of affairs”. It refers to the situation that existed before a specific event occurred’.
On November 18, 2024, President Joseph Nyumah Boikai submitted the proposed National Budget for FY2025 to the 55th Legislature through the office of the Chief Clerk, contrary to Section 17.1 of the Amended and Restated Public Financial Management Act of 2009, and Legislative proceedings of submission to the office of the Speaker as presiding officer of the Honorable of Representative.
At the Budget hearing on Monday, December 9, Acting Minister Brunson expressed her satisfaction in representing Finance Minister Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and continuing discussions on the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget.
Hon. Brunson highlighted the government’s focus on aligning the budget with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The Draft FY2025 budget priorities include ensuring the full payment of both domestic and external debts to maintain Liberia’s financial credibility, addressing compensation and related issues with national stakeholders to improve public services, making strategic capital investments in agriculture, infrastructure, social services such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education, efficiently allocating resources to foster economic and sustainable growth, developing human capacity, continuing and supporting projects aligned with the AAID, and initiating new ventures that align with national priorities.
The total resource envelope for FY2025 is estimated at US$851.76 million, a 15.3% increase compared to the FY2024 approved recast budget of US$738.86 million. Domestic revenue is projected to be US$759.20 million, with US$650.80 million (76.4%) coming from U.S. dollars and LRD39.9 billion (23.6%) in Liberian dollars. Key revenue sources include taxes on income and profits, international trade, goods and services, and real property, with additional resources from non-tax revenue and external contributions from entities such as the World Bank and the European Union.
On the expenditure side, the government is forecasting US$745.69 million for recurrent spending, a 10% increase from FY2024. The majority of the budget (42.3%) will be allocated to employee compensation, including pay increases for social and security sector workers, as well as additional hires in the healthcare and education sectors.
Also appearing before the Houses Committee on Ways, Means, Finance & Budget today, Deputy Commissioner General for Technical Services at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Gabriel Yeegai Montgomery, underscored that the agency’s achievements in revenue mobilization are already on target.
He disclosed that despite some challenges, the LRA has collected US$619.9 million as of November 30, 2024, reaching 84% of its target. For FY2025, the LRA aims to raise US$851.8 million, marking a 15.3% increase over the current fiscal year.
To support this, the Commissioner called for an amendment to the LRA Act, allowing the agency to retain a portion of the revenue it collects, which would help enhance its capacity to innovate and digitize revenue collection processes.
Deputy LRA Commissioner General Montgomery also highlighted the passage of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Law in April 2024, which replaces the outdated Goods and Services Tax system.
The VAT implementation is scheduled for 2026, with public engagement and capacity-building initiatives planned. Additionally, he mentioned that efforts to reform the real property tax system have made progress, with the LRA capturing more properties and partnering with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to establish a National Postal Addressing System.
Further advancements, he noted, include the successful rollout of the Liberia Integrated Tax Administration System (LITAS), which allows for online tax registration, filing, and payments, and the construction of a new Customs Inspection Facility at the Freeport of Monrovia.
Deputy LRA Commissioner General Montgomery stressed the importance of collaboration across the government, private sector, and civil society to achieve the ambitious revenue targets and ensure sustainable economic growth.
The Deputy Commissioner further said that notwithstanding the challenges ahead, there is confidence that, through collective efforts, Liberia will meet its fiscal objectives and pave the way for a prosperous future.
