Legislative Budget Office

Happy blessed wedding anniversary Hon. Director General of the LBO Othello S. Tarbah

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻

The Honorable House of Representatives will on Monday, January 12, 2026, resume activities for its First Quarter of the Third Session of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia.

The opening of the session is in keeping with Article 32(a) of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, which provides that the Legislature shall assemble in regular session once each year on the second working Monday in January.

According to protocols for this year’s opening, the hoisting of the flags of Liberia’s 15 counties will commence at 8:00 a.m., led by the Acting Sergeant-at-Arms, Morris Gibson, and his team. The parade and hoisting of the National Flag of the Republic of Liberia will follow at 10:00 a.m., led by the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Band, during which lawmakers will salute the National Flag before proceeding to their respective chambers.

Following the flag-raising and parade ceremonies at the Capitol Building grounds, members of the House of Representatives will proceed to the Providence Baptist Church for the official opening sitting. At the ceremony, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, will deliver his official opening statement, outlining the legislative agenda for the Third Session.

The Providence Baptist Church holds deep historical significance, having served as the meeting place for Liberia’s earliest lawmakers long before the construction of the Capitol Building.

Speaking on the decision, Speaker Koon said the move reflects a deliberate effort to reconnect the Legislature with the nation’s foundational values. He noted that returning to the historic venue serves as a reminder of the humility, discipline, and sense of purpose that guided Liberia’s early leadership.

The Speaker emphasized that the historic opening is intended to inspire lawmakers to approach governance with renewed integrity and a stronger commitment to the Liberian people as the country enters a new legislative year.

The unprecedented opening session at Providence Baptist Church is expected to signal a renewed focus on accountability, national reflection, and people-centered governance as the 2026 legislative calendar officially begins.

The House has clarified that its presence at Providence Baptist Church on Monday is solely for the official opening ceremony and does not constitute a venue for regular legislative sittings, which will continue at the Capitol Building.

The Third Session is expected to prioritize several key national issues, including: Robust legislative oversight of the Executive Branch; Discussions on economic reforms and development initiatives; Review and consideration of existing concession agreements; and other matters of national interest.

Signed:___________________
Robert Benjamin Haynes
DIRECTOR/Press & Public Affairs

LBO Public Statement

The Honourable House of Representatives has officially passed into law the Fiscal Year 2026 National Budget in the amount of $1,249,665,191.15. This decisive action underscores the Legislature’s constitutional mandate to safeguard Liberia’s fiscal discipline and prioritize national development.

The Draft Budget, initially estimated at $1,211,058,227.00, was carefully reviewed and adjusted by the House, resulting in an increase of $38,606,964.15 to strengthen appropriations across critical sectors. This adjustment reflects the House’s commitment to ensuring that Liberia’s health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and security needs are adequately addressed.

At present, the Budget has not yet been forwarded to the Honorable Liberian Senate. Technical details are being finalized by the Legislative Budget Office (LBO) to ensure accuracy, compliance, and transparency in line with national standards. Once concluded, the Budget will be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, completing the bicameral process of fiscal approval.

Key Highlights
- Budget Increase: From $1.211 billion (Draft) to $1.249 billion (Passed), reflecting strengthened national priorities.
- Legislative Oversight: The House has exercised its constitutional role to refine and approve the Budget responsibly.
- Technical Review: The LBO is concluding final details to guarantee precision and accountability before Senate concurrence.
- National Impact: The FY2026 Budget is a blueprint for growth, equity, and modernization across Liberia.

Closing Note
The passage of the FY2026 National Budget by the Honourable House of Representatives is a landmark achievement in fiscal governance. It demonstrates the Legislature’s resolve to place Liberia’s long-term interests above all else. As the LBO concludes its technical work, the nation awaits the Senate’s concurrence to fully enact this Budget into law.

Congratulations to the Honourable House of Representatives for this decisive step in service to the Liberian people. 🇱🇷