“Finance Ministry Responsible For Budget Passage Delay” -House Committee Chair Reveals By: Feona Benson Kollie

The House’s Committee Chair on Ways, Means and Finance, Dixon Seboe, has revealed that the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the delay in the budget passage, adding that the Finance Ministry has not yet provided the reports needed to inform the committee on the spending of government entities.  Speaking Wednesday during the committee report presentation to plenary in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, Rep. Seboe said  without the needed report  on how disbursement was made,  and how money was spent, the committee cannot  reach a conclusion on when the  budget debate will begin and when the budget will be passed. The Montserrado County District 16 lawmaker further informed the plenary that the Ministry of Finance has sent to the committee a recast budget which is in two forth and is likely to determine whether there will be re-allocation or downward adjustment due to the revenue short coming meaning that the Ministry of Finance has sent a recast budget that has risk 17 millions of the 738 budget that was passed recently which according to him mean that the country has a budget that is at 721. However, he said the Ministry of Finance has also decided to put in other measure to close the gap of the 17 millions which includes adjustment of taxes income and to ensure that an 8 millions are borrowed for the Central Bank as to close the gap of the 17 millions. Speaking further, Rep. Seboe disclosed that the budget sub- committee has done a great job by inviting both the LRA and the Ministry of Finance who accordingly resulted to the committee coming out with a conclusion in the best interest of the country due to the collaboration of revenue rising entities which has closed the major gap. Moreover, the committee chair was also quick to mention that another issue impeding the passage of the budget is the issue of tax waver which was considered due to the inability of the LRA to collect the needed tax revenue to buttress the country budget. Rep. Seboe also when on to say with all the measure that is being put in to place, the LRA informed the committee that all entities responsible will rise the full amount that will put the budget at 749 million instead of 738 million that will better the living conditions of Liberians across the country.  Meanwhile, the District 16 lawmaker also mentioned that the Ministry of Finance has sent a proposal, requesting plenary to put more money into budget as get 25 millions domestic dept, other 25 millions for community through LACE as to ensure that the lives of are impacted.  Maintaining further Rep. Seboe also told his colleagues that if they are to succeed in the possible passage of the budget before the end of the special session, it needs the collective efforts of all responsible. He, at the same time, commanded his colleagues for the support but intone that there is more to be done the betterment of the country.