But Will His Dream Come True?

PHOTO: Finance Minister, Augustine Ngafuan in the dream mode

Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister has expressed optimism that the national budget will eventually increase to two or three billions United States Dollars before President Joseph Boakai’s first term ends, as Augustine Octavius reports.

The current government has raised the national budget to over US$1.3 billion, for the first time.

So far, it is not clear whether the 83-year-old Liberian President, Boakai intends to contest the 2029 election, but most of his development, including infrastructure are targeted for 2029-2030. His Public Works Minister Roland Giddings has repeated promised that works are in place to ensure that there are paved roads from Ganta to southeastern Liberia by 2029.

Putting God in his dream and prayers, Finance Minister Ngafuan recently said with the help of God and hard work, Liberia will cross to the two-three billion US Dollars budget target.

But he was quick to add that it will not be able to solve the many challenges and demands in the country.

The Liberian Finance Minister made the upbeat revelation at the official launching of the 2026 national budget awareness held in Kakata, Margibi County during the weekend.

“We know that the 1.3 billion United States  Dollars can meet the demands of all the aspiration of the Liberian people and so we are pushing and working,” he said; adding: “even if we cross the two or three billion United States Dollars may not be able to meet the demands and request of all the line ministries and agencies.”

“But, I like the fact that we are put under pressure to do more and let me remind you  that the government has just gone for two years and three months.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Minister for Budget at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Tanneh Brunson disclosed that the awareness is intended to take information on how the national budget is executed.

According to Minister Brunson, the awareness will be taken to from county to county in order to enable citizens have a deep understanding on the national budget and how it is spent.

The program, which was held under the theme: “Empowering Citizens, Strengthening Accountability: Building Liberia’s Future Through Inclusive Budgeting,” was graced by a senior management team of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, local government officials students and representatives of line ministries and agencies, among many others.