A coalition of civil society organizations, student movements, and academic institutions has expressed strong support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent veto of controversial provisions in two legislative bills aimed at decentralizing Liberia’s port system.
The coalition is now urging the National Legislature to revisit and amend the proposed legislation to address key legal and structural shortcomings.
The legislation in question, the “Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Decentralization and Modernization Act”, was approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate on June 24, 2025.
It was designed to grant greater autonomy to regional ports, promote foreign investment, and channel port-generated revenue into local development projects.
However, President Boakai withheld approval of major sections of the bill, citing concerns that certain provisions conflict with existing maritime laws and risk creating overlapping authorities between local port entities and the Liberia Maritime Authority.
In his veto message, the president warned that decentralization without proper legal alignment could compromise national oversight and governance within the maritime sector.
Civic Coalition Applauds the Veto
In a unified press statement delivered in Monrovia, representatives of the coalition praised the president’s action as both timely and responsible. Speaking on behalf of the group, Stephanie Success Gibson, Assistant Secretary General of Books Before Boys, said the veto reflects a commitment to sound legal governance.
“We commend His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai for his prudent decision to reject specific line items in the bill,” Gibson stated. “This action helps protect Liberia from legal confusion and administrative inefficiency.”
While acknowledging that the bill is well-intentioned and aimed at improving economic development, the coalition emphasized the need for legislative clarity, efficiency, and inclusive policymaking.
Key Concerns and Recommendations
The coalition highlighted several critical issues within the bill, including:
Ambiguous language that could lead to legal misinterpretation;
The creation of nine-member governing boards for each port, which the coalition considers overly bureaucratic; A lack of public engagement and consultation during the drafting process.
Mustapha Z. Sherman, Executive Director of Books Before Boys, clarified that the coalition is not opposing the broader goal of port modernization, but rather urging lawmakers to refine the legal framework.
“We are not advocating for the complete dismissal of the legislation,” Sherman said. “We’re simply encouraging the Legislature to revise problematic sections to ensure they align with national interests.”
The group also acknowledged the Legislature’s intention to stimulate economic growth and job creation but stressed that this should not come at the expense of legal integrity or institutional coherence.
The coalition is urging the Legislature to engage in more inclusive consultations, drawing input from stakeholders across the maritime sector, civil society, and local communities. They believe this approach would help create a more robust and unified legal structure for managing Liberia’s ports.
The statement was endorsed by a diverse lineup of civic and student groups, including:
Books Before Boys Incorporated
Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinion (CEIO)
National Muslim Student Association of Liberia (NAMSAL)
New Initiative for Progress
Coalition of Youth and Students for a Better Liberia
Liberia Youth United for Disability
Young Women for Peace
Alliance of Muslim Youths for Democracy
Liberia Action for Climate Justice
Voice of the People
As the debate over the port decentralization bill continues, the coalition has vowed to remain actively engaged in the process. They are encouraging all Liberians to follow the developments closely and hold their representatives accountable for crafting laws that are both progressive and legally sound.
“This is not just about ports,” said Gibson. “It’s about making sure every law passed is in the best interest of the Liberian people and the future of our country.”
