President Joseph Boakai has vetoed two port-related bills passed by the National Legislature, citing concerns over ambiguous provisions and the proposed nine-member board for each port, which he described as excessive.
In a communication to Senate President Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Boakai invoked Article 35 of the Constitution, urging lawmakers to correct the identified loopholes. He returned the bills for reconsideration, emphasizing the need for clarity and sound governance in the interest of the country.
The recent decision by President leader Joseph Boakai, to veto the two bills is crucial as it addresses potential confusion and misinterpretation and careless legislation, particularly regarding the excessive member on the board for each port.
JNB had demonstrated a commitment to refining laws to better serve the national interest by correcting loopholes, fostering legislative collaboration, and ensuring effective governance.
Thank you, President Boakai, for this thoughtful decision and for your continued dedication to the welfare of Liberia.
In early June 2025, the Liberian Senate passed into law a bill seeking to create an Independent Seaport and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority.
The bill when concurred by the House of Representatives, will provide for the regulation and sustainable development of Seaports and the Inland Ports operations and Services in Liberia.
It will also facilitate a safer, orderly and transparent development of port facilities and services and for any other purposes.
The Senate took the decision Tuesday November 19, 2024 following a recommendation by a Joint Committee on Public Corporation and Judiciary Human Rights, Claims and Petitions.
At the same time, The Senate has also passed into law a bill for Liberia Sea Ports decentralization .
The bill is consistent with the decentrazation strategy of Government which include and not limited to the decentralization of the Management and operation of the four Seaports which have been managed by a single body cooperate, the National port Authority.
The National Port Authority from its creation has managed the four Seaports including the Free ports of Liberia, The Port of Buchanan, the Port of Greenville, and the Port of Harper.
The joint committee stated that focus and attention of the National Port Authority has been mainly on the largest Port, the Free Port of Monrovia to the neglect of the other ports.
As such the committee added that decentralization of the Seaports is intended to salvage the situation of centralization and its negative impact on the Seaports, to make each Seaports autonomous to operate and manage itself, make its own investment decision, grow its revenues and make significant contribution to the national and local economies.
