Published: September 16, 2024
Monrovia – The leadership of the Beach and Waterway Project has raised concerns over a significant reduction in their operational budget in the 2024 National Budget, which has been cut from 3 million to 300 thousand U.S. dollars.
This drastic cut poses a serious challenge to the project’s efforts to maintain safe and clean environments, especially in slum areas stretching from Duazon to Banjor in Montserrado County District #17.
The Reclaiming Beach and Waterway workers, who play a crucial role in cleaning and maintaining the beaches, now face an uncertain future.
Speaking to the Legislature on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Beach and Waterway leadership revealed that despite initial assurances of 3 million USD for the project from Representative Dixon Siebo, only 2 million USD was allocated in the 2024 National Budget. Their difficulties have worsened, as the latest draft of the recast budget allocates a mere 300 thousand USD for the project.
“We were assured of 3 million USD in the 2024 budget, but what we found was drastically different,” the spokesperson said. “To make matters worse, we have not received any funds from the 2024 budget yet, and now the recast budget proposes only 300 thousand USD. This is not enough to sustain our operations or support the over 10 thousand workers who are now stranded due to the lack of funds.”
The leadership stressed the urgent need for Senate intervention and has presented a petition to the Liberian Senate, urging them to investigate the matter and increase the allocation to at least 2 million USD. They emphasized the vital role the project plays in promoting a safe and healthy environment for citizens, particularly those living in slum areas.
“The current allocation is insufficient. We are calling on the Senate to review and increase the budget to two million USD to ensure we can continue our work effectively,” the spokesperson added.
In response, Senator Gleh Bo Brown, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration, assured the workers that their concerns would be presented to the Senate Plenary for further action.
“We understand the critical importance of the Beach and Waterway Project, and I assure you that your plight will be brought to the Senate Plenary. We will do all we can to address this issue,” Senator Brown said.
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