Fresh controversy has emerged surrounding the stalled Port Autonomy Bill following public accusations by outspoken political commentator Henry Costa, who alleges behind-the-scenes collusion among senior government and legislative officials aimed at pressuring President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. to sign the controversial legislation into law.
In a series of statements made on his social media platforms, Costa accused the President’s legal advisor, Cllr. Buchu-Ben Keita, of allegedly collaborating with Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon to influence the President’s decision on the bill.
Costa warned that such actions, if proven, could constitute what he described as a “dangerous political game” with serious implications for Liberia’s port administration and maritime governance.
The allegations come amid strong institutional opposition to the bill from the Ministry of Justice. On January 12, 2026, Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh formally advised President Boakai to veto the Port Autonomy Bill, citing what he described as “serious structural deficiencies.” In his legal opinion, Tweh warned that passage of the bill could weaken the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) and destabilize the country’s port management framework.
The Justice Minister further asserted that the bill’s sponsors-Senate Pro-Tempore Karnga-Lawrence and Senator Dillon-misled the President by claiming that significant amendments had been made after his earlier veto of similar legislation in July 2025. According to Tweh, a detailed review of the resubmitted bill revealed that many of the President’s original objections remained unaddressed.
Costa echoed the Justice Minister’s concerns, accusing Cllr. Keita of attempting to mislead President Boakai into signing legislation he described as detrimental to Liberia’s national interest.
Costa also criticized both Cllr. Keita and Senator Karnga-Lawrence, portraying them as officials allegedly seeking to regain political credibility and favor within the government.
President Boakai, meanwhile, has publicly urged the Legislature-particularly the bill’s sponsors-to make the necessary corrections to ensure that any proposed port reform legislation aligns with the country’s best interests before it is approved.
Appearing on the Prime Morning Drive radio program, Senator Darius Dillon declined to directly respond to Costa’s allegations.
The Senator dismissed the claims, citing what he described as Costa’s inconsistency and referencing their long-standing personal familiarity, which he characterized as a “little brother relationship.”
As debate over the Port Autonomy Bill continues, the controversy has highlighted deep divisions among key political actors and raised broader concerns about transparency, governance, and the future direction of Liberia’s port and maritime sector.
