A fresh controversy has erupted within Liberia’s public service sector following a public legal challenge by prominent Liberian lawyer, Cllr. K. Jlayteh Sayor, who has described the appointment of former Senator J. Milton Teahjay as Director of the Sinoe County Port as illegal and unconstitutional.
The appointment, made amid ongoing reform efforts at the National Port Authority (NPA), has triggered a nationwide debate on adherence to retirement laws, political patronage, youth marginalization, and respect for the rule of law in Liberia’s governance framework.
“Retirement Means Retirement”
Addressing the media, Cllr. Sayor argued that the appointment clearly violates existing laws governing public service employment. “The law is explicit—retirement means retirement,” Sayor asserted. “Public service must not be transformed into a retirement refuge for political allies.” Official records indicate that former Senator Teahjay was born on July 8, 1955, making him 70 years old and set to turn 71 later this year.
Legal Framework in Question
Cllr. Sayor referenced two key statutes underpinning his challenge:
The Decent Work Act (Labor Law), which establishes 60 years as the retirement age for workers. The Civil Service Act, which sets 65 years as the mandatory retirement age for public servants.
“These laws apply to all public institutions, including the National Port Authority,” Sayor emphasized. “At 70, Mr. Teahjay is legally disqualified from holding a permanent public service position such as Port Director. Any such appointment is unlawful,” he maintained.
A Broader Governance Concern
Governance analysts say the controversy highlights a deeper, systemic issue within Liberia’s public administration. Civil service data suggest that more than 30 percent of senior public officials are above the legally mandated retirement age, despite the fact that over 65 percent of Liberia’s population is under 35.
Youth advocacy organizations argue that the persistent recycling of retirees into senior government roles worsens unemployment and blocks opportunities for qualified young professionals. “You cannot credibly advocate youth empowerment while repeatedly appointing the same political elites,” one governance expert remarked.
“This is not about age discrimination—it is about legality, equity, and fairness.”
Politics Versus Public Interest
Critics contend that the appointment appears driven more by political loyalty than institutional necessity, raising questions about the credibility of public sector reforms and the government’s commitment to good governance.
Liberia has long struggled with enforcing retirement laws, with governance watchdogs reporting that exemptions are frequently granted without transparency—eroding public trust and weakening institutional integrity.
Demand for Accountability
Cllr. Sayor warned that ignoring the issue could establish a dangerous precedent. “Respect retirement. Respect the law. Respect future generations,” he declared.
“If laws apply only to ordinary citizens and not to the powerful, then we are governed not by law, but by convenience.”
As of publication, the Ministry of Transport, the National Port Authority, and the Executive Mansion have not issued any official response to the legal challenge.
