Liberia: House Slams President for Breaking Structure, Submitting Budget at RLJ Lodge
MONROVIA – The management of the House of Representatives has expressed disappointment over President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s choice to submit the 2025 Draft National Budget to the House of Representatives’ presiding officer, bypassing the standard protocol of addressing it on to the Speaker.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh @frontpageafricaonline.com
In a strongly worded assertion issued Monday, the House management emphasised that the transfer undermines the authority of his workplace and the constitutional framework governing the House of Representatives.
“We note with disappointment that the president has chosen to deliver the budget to the presiding officer outside of the usual protocol of directly addressing the speaker,” the management mentioned. “Nevertheless, we take note that the budget is addressed to the speaker and in keeping with article 49 of the constitution of Liberia, the “The House of Representative shall elect once every six years a Speaker who shall be the presiding officer of that body…”
Controversial Submission Location
The management revealed that the funds was delivered to the Deputy Chief Clerk on the RLJ Resort, which is at present serving because the assembly website for a majority bloc of lawmakers who’ve distanced themselves from Speaker Koffa’s management.
“We must warn all parties not to further jeopardize our constitutional scheme by attempting to illegally act on the budget,” he cautioned, describing the Deputy Chief Clerk as a “renegade” for his function in receiving the draft funds.
The management additional instructed the Deputy Chief Clerk to right away ship the communication, which the Executive mentioned is addressed to the presiding officer, to the Speaker’s workplace for correct dealing with.
Alleged Violation of Public Financial Management Law
The pro-Koffa group accused the administration of violating the Presentment Clause of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law by bypassing the Speaker’s workplace. “This submission, as it stands, violates the presentment clause of the PFM laws. We will see you in court,” they warned, signaling potential authorized motion.
Escalating Leadership Crisis
The dispute over the funds submission comes amid a deepening management disaster within the House of Representatives. The House stays divided, with one bloc—comprising the vast majority of lawmakers—assembly beneath the management of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah in a separate chamber. Meanwhile, Speaker Koffa continues to satisfy together with his loyalists in the primary chamber, though he has not been capable of meet quorum.
The constitutional and procedural disagreements have already delayed the well timed submission of the nationwide funds, which the Public Financial Management Law mandates be submitted by October 31.
Implications for Budget Approval
The pro-Koffa group’s criticism and the continuing division within the House may additional complicate the funds approval course of, doubtlessly delaying vital appropriations for the 2025 fiscal 12 months.
This newest episode highlights the widening rift within the Legislature and raises questions concerning the affect of the inner management disaster on governance and nationwide growth.
