By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I
In a decisive move aimed at safeguarding the integrity of national legislation, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has exercised his constitutional authority to veto two bills recently passed by the National Legislature.
The two bills from the Legislature seeking to decentralize the operations of Liberia’s ports and create an Independent Seaport and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority, effectively ending the National Port Authority’s monopoly over port management.
The Senate first passed the bills on November 20, 2024, proposing autonomous status for Liberia’s major seaports—Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, and Harper. The legislation includes the establishment of nine-member boards to govern each port.
Following Senate approval, the bills were transmitted to the House of Representatives, where they were reviewed by the joint committees on Maritime, Finance, and Development Planning.
On June 24, 2025, during its 12th Day Sitting of the Second Quarter of the 55th Legislature, the House of Representatives concurred with the Senate, clearing the way for the bills to be forwarded to the President for approval.
Meanwhile, the decision of the President to Vito the bill is in accordance with Article 35 of the 1986 Constitution which provides that:
“Each bill or resolution which shall have passed both Houses of the Legislature shall, before it becomes law, be laid before the President for approval. If the President approves, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections to the House where it originated. That House shall enter the objections in its journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members present shall agree to pass the bill or resolution, it shall be sent together with the objections to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of the members present, it shall become law.”
In a formal communication to Senate President Pro-Tempore, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, President Boakai invoked Article 35 of the Constitution of Liberia, which empowers the President to approve or disapprove bills submitted by the Legislature.
Among the key issues raised by the President was the composition of a nine-member board for each port, a provision he described as “excessive.” He also cited ambiguities in certain sections of the bills that could lead to confusion and misinterpretation.
“These provisions will have to be made and/or clarified to avoid future confusion and misinterpretation,” President Boakai wrote.
He emphasized that the bills, in their current form, contain loopholes that could negatively affect the country if not addressed.
“Given the reasons mentioned supra and by virtue of the authority in me vested, under Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, I hereby VETO the two Bills and return them to allow the National Legislature to kindly take another look to correct all the necessary loopholes in the interest of the country and its people,” the President stated.
President Boakai thanked the Senate for its cooperation and expressed optimism that the Legislature would take swift and responsible action to revise the bills in a way that reflects national interest and good governance.
