National Budget In Limbo Almost a month since the National Legislature passed the 2013/2014 National Budget and was forwarded to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for approval, it has been gathered that the document has not been signed by the President. Though the reason for the delay in signing the Budget by the President has not been known, observers are blaming it on the long absence of the President from the country. The budget was passed with no increment in the salaries of civil servants but has allotment made for line ministries and agencies including the much talked about ‘Legislature Radio Station’. The delay in the approval of the Budget without approval by President Sirleaf was confirmed by Representative Edwin Snowe who told a local talk show that the budget has not been signed but revealed that there is a process in the signing of the Budget beginning with its submission at the Capitol Building for public hearing. He said that the signing of the Budget is not an event but a process. It can be recalled that the Liberian leader rejected the 2012/2013 National Budget due to lack of salary increment for civil servants but with increment in the benefits and allowances of lawmakers. The Executive Branch of Government through the Ministry of Finance submitted the 2013/2014 National Budget in the amount of US$553 million, but after scrutinizing the fiscal envelop, the Budget was increased to US$ 583million.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 20:26:15 +0000