By Taina James Karbah
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has vetoed eleven legislative bills, citing conflicts with Liberia’s existing legal framework, particularly the Local Government Act of 2018.
In a formal communication to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, President Boakai stated that nine of the bills proposed the creation of new townships in Nimba County, while the remaining two sought to establish new districts—one each in Nimba and Lofa Counties.
The President argued that the township proposals failed to meet the criteria outlined in Section 2.16(e) of the Local Government Act. These requirements include a minimum population of 5,000 residents, access to education and healthcare services, adequate waste management and transportation systems, and clearly defined boundaries.
Boakai noted that most of the proposed townships lacked the necessary infrastructure and population thresholds, rendering them incompatible with national law. He warned that approving such measures could place undue strain on Liberia’s limited financial and administrative resources.
Regarding the district bills, the President cited Section 2.15 of the Act, which governs the creation of sub-county governments. He emphasized that the legislation mandates the dissolution of all existing statutory districts by November 23, 2025, following the retirement of their personnel.
The proposed bills, he said, failed to clarify whether the new districts would be statutory or administrative, creating legal uncertainty.
The vetoed bills have been returned to the House of Representatives for further review and potential amendment to ensure compliance with Liberia’s legal standards.
