President Boakai vetoes two bills seeking to decentralize Liberia’s National Port Authority, raising several concerns, including a proposal to establish a nine-member board for each of the country’s four ports.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia; July 21, 2025 – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has vetoed two major port reform bills recently passed by the 55th Legislature, returning them for further scrutiny and revision. The move marks a significant setback for the push to decentralize Liberia’s seaport governance.
In a formal communication to Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, President Boakai cited several concerns, particularly the proposal to establish a nine-member board for each port, which he described as excessive.
“Madam President Pro-Tempore, as you are aware, Article 35 of the Constitution of Liberia grants the President the authority to approve or disapprove a Bill that is laid before the President,” Boakai wrote.
“Given the reasons mentioned supra and by virtue of the authority vested in me under Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, I hereby veto the two Bills and return them to the National Legislature for reconsideration, to correct all the necessary loopholes in the interest of the country and its people.”
Following the President’s decision, the National Port Authority (NPA) issued a public statement on July 18, 2025, commending President Boakai for what it called a “decisive and prudent” action taken in the national interest.
“President Boakai’s veto reflects a deep commitment to protecting the long-term national interest, preserving the integrity of port governance, and ensuring that legislative reforms are implemented with clarity, coherence, and foresight,” the NPA said.
The Authority praised the President’s critique of the proposed framework, citing ambiguities, risks of misinterpretation, and the impracticality of a nine-member board for each port. The NPA stated that it fully aligns with the President’s concerns and is ready to collaborate on reforms that reflect international best practices.
“We appreciate His Excellency’s call for a more inclusive and technically sound review process that will strengthen, rather than fragment, our national port system”, the statement added.
The Liberian Senate had earlier passed two pieces of legislation aimed at transforming the country’s port sector. The Independent Seaport and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority Bill – This bill proposed the creation of an independent regulatory body to oversee the development and operation of Liberia’s seaports and inland ports. It aimed to ensure safer, more transparent, and sustainable port infrastructure and services.
The second is Seaports Decentralization Bill that seeks to decentralize the management of Liberia’s four key seaports, Freeport of Monrovia, Port of Buchanan, Port of Greenville, and Port of Harper, which are currently operated by the central NPA.
The joint Senate committee responsible for the legislation argued that the NPA’s primary focus has been on the Freeport of Monrovia, leaving the other ports underdeveloped. The proposed decentralization aimed to give each port autonomy to manage operations, attract investment, and contribute more significantly to local and national economic development.
While proponents of the bills claim decentralization would improve efficiency and unlock growth at regional ports, critics argue it could fragment governance, increase bureaucracy, and weaken oversight.
With the President’s veto now in effect, the future of port reform in Liberia remains uncertain. The Legislature must now revisit the bills, revise the provisions in question, or attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers, an unlikely scenario given the level of pushback.
As the debate continues, all eyes are on whether a revised version of the bills would strike a delicate balance between decentralization and national cohesion. Editing by Jonathan Browne
