Monrovia, Liberia, July 18, 2025: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. has formally vetoed two major pieces of legislation aimed at overhauling Liberia’s maritime and port governance systems, citing serious structural and substantive concerns. The bills in question, Senate Enrolled Bill No. 4, titled “Liberia Ports Authority”, and Senate Enrolled Bill No. 5, titled “Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Decentralization and Modernization Act”, were submitted by the Liberian Senate for presidential approval during the Second Session of the 55th Legislature.
In a communication addressed to Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, on July 15, 2025, President Boakai acknowledged the bills’ ambition to reshape Liberia’s maritime governance and decentralize port operations. However, he emphasized the need for a more rigorous review to ensure alignment with the Constitution, existing laws, and international obligations.
President Boakai acknowledged that the legislative initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to decentralization and improved local governance. The bills proposed the dissolution of the current National Port Authority (NPA), and the creation of autonomous management structures for the ports of Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper, as well as any future ports. The legislation also aimed to establish the Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority as an oversight body.
While recognizing the potential benefits of decentralized port management, the President cited concerns about regulatory overlaps and legal conflicts, particularly with the existing Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) and Liberia’s Maritime Law.
According to the President, key issues include the Misalignment in Documentation: The schedule submitted for the “Liberia Ports Authority” bill was misnamed, with its contents actually referring to the Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Regulatory Act, causing confusion, the Regulatory Overlap: The proposed Regulatory Authority would significantly encroach on the responsibilities of the Liberia Maritime Authority, potentially rendering it largely redundant, and the Conflict of Interest: The bill assigns both regulatory and operational powers to the same agency, raising questions about regulatory independence and effective oversight.
Others include the Unclear Legal Framework: Sections of the bill, such as those related to definitions, fee collection, international conventions, and amendments to existing laws, lack clarity and coherence, risking future legal and administrative challenges, and Governance Concerns: The provision for nine-member boards at each port was deemed excessive and not aligned with streamlined governance principles.
President Boakai also noted that the two bills are interdependent and cannot function in isolation. As such, he determined that both must be reviewed and revised concurrently.
Invoking Article 35 of the Liberian Constitution, President Boakai officially vetoed both bills and returned them to the Legislature for further refinement.
“While we support the intent of this legislation, we also believe that there are structural and substantive issues that must be addressed,” the President stated. “The need for careful examination of their constitutional foundations, practical implications, and alignment with established governance principles cannot be overemphasized.”
President Boakai concluded his communication by expressing appreciation to the Senate for its cooperation and urged lawmakers to revisit the bills in the national interest.
The vetoed legislation is expected to return to the Legislature for further deliberation, with potential amendments to address the highlighted legal and operational concerns.
