By Jerromie S. Walters
The House of Representatives- HOR, has instructed its Joint Committee on Ways, Means, and Judiciary to review, within two weeks, an instrument seeking to decentralize Liberia’s national development planning by creating budgetary lines for each of the country’s 73 electoral districts. The proposed legislation, titled “An Act to Create a Budgetary Line for the 73 Districts within the Annual National Budget for Development,” was introduced by Grand Bassa County District #2 Representative Clarence Banks.
According to Representative Banks, if enacted, the law would obligate the Government of Liberia to designate a specific fiscal allocation for each district within the national budget framework, effectively enabling district-level autonomy in identifying and approving development projects. He anchored the bill in Articles 29 and 7 of the 1986 Constitution, which respectively confer legislative authority and establish the state’s responsibility to advance citizen participation in economic and social affairs.
He said under the provisions of the bill, districts would receive quarterly disbursements throughout the fiscal year, allowing for sustained implementation of development plans. The Grand Bassa Lawmaker said elected representative of each district, would play an active role in guiding projects from initiation through completion in consultation with constituents.
The bill further mandates a competitive bidding process for all development initiatives.
Prospective contractors would be required to present proof of operational construction equipment, subject to joint inspection by the Ministries of Finance and Public Works and the district’s elected lawmaker.
He said only bidders who meet the equipment and compliance standards would be approved to participate. If passed, the legislation could reshape Liberia’s budgetary landscape by shifting control from centralized decision-makers to district-level leadership.
He added that it presents a meaningful opportunity to address historical imbalances in infrastructure and services while enhancing transparency and civic ownership of development. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Development Planning, in collaboration with the Legislative Budget Office (LBO), has released the schedule for its First Quarter Expenditure Performance Public Hearings. The hearings are set to begin on Monday, July 14, 2025.
According to the Director of Press and Public Affairs at the House of Representatives, Robert Haynes, the Expenditure Performance Hearings follow the successful completion and reporting of the First Quarter Revenue Performance by the Committee.
The report, which was submitted to and endorsed by plenary, was hailed as unprecedented in the history of the Legislature.
The upcoming expenditure hearings will be presided over by the Committee’s Co-Chair on Expenditure, Hon. Atty. Michael Thomas. He has called on all government entities scheduled to appear to adhere strictly to compliance by showing up and making full presentations on their respective First Quarter FY2025 Expenditure Performances.
The hearing schedule is as follows:
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝗲: 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
• Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
• Liberia Revenue Authority
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Health
• Civil Service Agency
• Ministry of Agriculture
• Ministry of Public Works
• Ministry of Education
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝘄𝗼: 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
• Liberia Free Zone Authority
• Liberia Broadcasting System
• University of Liberia
• Liberia Immigration Service
• Ministry of Mines and Energy
• National Identification Registry
• Ministry of Internal Affairs
• Ministry of Labor
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲: 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
• Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Judiciary
• Ministry of Transport
• General Auditing Commission
• National Elections Commission
• Roberts International Airport
• Financial Intelligence Agency
• Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment
• Public Procurement and Concessions Commission
• Liberia National Lottery
At the conclusion of the hearings, the Committee’s findings and recommendations will be presented to House Plenary for consideration. Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
Liberia Revenue Authority
