The Joint Committee on Ways, Means and Finance of the 55th Legislature has officially commenced hearings into the Draft 2026 Supplementary Budget valued at US$45 million, marking a significant step in Liberia’s ongoing fiscal governance and oversight process.
Opening the hearings, the Chair of the Joint Committee, P. Mike Jurry, indicated the Legislature’s constitutional responsibility in ensuring sound fiscal management and accountability.
“We are convened today to exercise our constitutional duty of oversight and fiscal management as we deliberate on the Draft Supplementary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026,” Rep. Jurry stated. “This supplementary request of US$45 million seeks to augment our national expenditure in response to evolving priorities.”
He also disclosed that the proposed budget is financed through a strategic blend of US$40 million in support from the World Bank and US$5 million from domestic revenue, underscoring the importance of prudent allocation to critical national needs.
Rep Jurry described the supplementary budget hearings as a cornerstone of Liberia’s democratic process, noting that the Committee is mandated to ensure that public resources are directed toward the most pressing sectors of national development.
He said the draft budget prioritizes several key areas, including: health- strengthening the healthcare workforce through the enrollment of volunteer health workers onto the government payroll, acquisition of land for the National Children’s Hospital, and renovations at the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA), education- the expansion of the School Feeding Program, integration of volunteer teachers, procurement of buses for tertiary students and local councils, and settlement of arrears owed to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC); infrastructure- technical preparation and deployment of “yellow machines” for road rehabilitation; security- recruitment of additional police and military personnel, alongside enhanced border security interventions, and public administration & debt- settlement of domestic debt obligations and replenishment of contingency reserves.
The Committee is also hearing from key government institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), to provide detailed justifications and revenue performance updates supporting the proposed allocations.
Speaking on behalf of the Liberian Senate, River Gee County Senator Francis Dopoh stressed the importance of adhering to the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law, urging timely implementation of the supplementary budget while raising concerns about previous budget execution and internal reallocation processes.
He reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to providing oversight, guidance, and collaboration to ensure that the budget aligns with national priorities and legal frameworks.
Providing an overview of the supplementary budget, Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs, Anthony Myers, described the proposal as modest representing approximately 3% of the US$1.2 billion national budget approved for FY2026.
According to him, the supplementary budget is the product of sustained collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive over the past two decades, aimed at strengthening public financial management.
He noted that US$40 million (89%) is sourced from World Bank budget support, US$5 million (11%), coming from improved domestic revenue performance as the total national budget will increase to approximately US$1.29 billion, if the supplementary budget is approved.
Deputy Minister Myers emphasized that the additional funding will largely support social sector priorities, particularly in health, education, and youth development.
He also highlighted targeted interventions, including job creation initiatives at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and increased subsidies for the National Transit Authority to ease transportation costs for citizens.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Montgomery, Deputy Commissioner General for Technical Services at the Liberia Revenue Authority, confirmed that the US$45 million referenced in the draft is actual cash-backed revenue, providing assurance of funding availability.
The hearings continue, with lawmakers and technical experts seeking detailed deliberations on the revenue components to ensure accuracy, transparency, and alignment with Liberia’s development agenda.
The Joint Committee reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent and rigorous review process, ensuring that every dollar appropriated under the supplementary budget contributes meaningfully to improving the lives of the Liberian people.