IPNEWS: In a forceful and unapologetic statement following a marathon voting session in the House of Representatives, Nimba County District 7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility delivered a sweeping critique of key national instruments passed on the floor while defending the decisions that put him at odds with many of his colleagues.
Bility confirmed he voted against the combined Total Energy Oronto Bill, against the National Budget, and in favor of the HPX Agreement, emphasizing that each position was taken “in good conscience and in the best interest of the Liberian people.”
Blow to Bundled Bills: “A Strategy to Force Bad Deals Through”
The lawmaker sharply condemned the decision to package the Total Energy Bill and the controversial Oronto Deal into a single omnibus vote a move he described as illogical, unjustified, and politically manipulative.
“That bill was designed to force lawmakers to swallow an unpopular deal by attaching it to an essential one,” Bility argued, noting that the Oronto Deal has faced widespread public pushback. He maintained that had the bills been presented separately, he would have supported the Total Energy component.
Bility did not mince words about the Oronto Deal itself, insisting the company has no clear exploration plan, operates a speculative business model designed to “acquire our asset and flip it for profit,” and, given its past record in Liberia, should not be entrusted again with the nation’s resources.
“If a deal of this nature were ever to be entertained, it should benefit Liberians not foreigners,” he declared.
Bility Rejects $1.2B National Budget: “A Consumption Plan, Not a Vision”
Equally scathing was his assessment of the newly passed national budget, which he dismissed as uninspired and incapable of improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
“At $1.2 billion, this is a consumption budget, not a transformational one,” he said. “It shows no innovation in governance, no strategy for economic growth, and no real plan to deliver better services.”
Bility condemned the government’s choice to spend the $200 million ArcelorMittal signing bonus within one year rather than investing it in sustainable sectors like agriculture where he said it could have created jobs and long-term value.
Why He Backed HPX: “A Strategic Win for Liberia.
In sharp contrast to his other votes, Bility firmly endorsed the HPX Agreement, which he described as a landmark opportunity for Liberia’s economic and logistical future.
“This deal is not just about minerals,” he emphasized. “It’s about transforming Liberia into a competitive logistics hub.”
According to Bility, the HPX arrangement strengthens the nation’s rail and corridor infrastructure, opens new trade routes through the inland port, and positions Liberia as a vital transit channel for landlocked neighbors such as Mali. He believes the long-term impact could reshape Liberia into a regional gateway, unlocking private-sector opportunities and stimulating broad economic growth.
A Defiant Stand
Representative Musa Hassan Bility’s pointed explanations signal a growing divide in the House over how national resources, infrastructure, and economic opportunities should be managed. His message was clear: Liberia’s development cannot be built on political shortcuts, short-term spending, or deals that fail to empower its own people.
