By Sam S. Kangar
Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility has issued a scathing condemnation of the Legislature’s recent passage of an amendment to the National Port Authority’s (NPA) Act, describing the move as a dangerous precedent that threatens Liberia’s democratic integrity.
In a Facebook post published Thursday, June 26, 2025, Rep. Bility denounced the amendment which authorizes the creation of multiple autonomous ports across the country for being passed with what he termed “shameful haste and little to no public engagement.
“I am deeply troubled by the manner in which the National Legislature has handled the recent amendment,” Bility wrote. “It affects commerce, sovereignty, fiscal oversight, and the future structure of our economy. And yet, it was passed without public hearings, without expert opinions, and without the involvement of key stakeholders.”
The amendment reportedly cleared the House of Representatives with minimal debate, essentially rubber-stamping the Senate’s version without further scrutiny a process Bility described as both undemocratic and irresponsible.
“This is not how laws are supposed to be made in a democracy. This is not why our constituents elected us to Capitol Hill,” he asserted.
Bility, known for his vocal stance on governance issues, cautioned that such legislative conduct risks reducing the Legislature to an “auxiliary” of the Executive Branch, thereby undermining the constitutional principle of checks and balances.
“We have neglected our role as overseers. We have given up our mandate,” he stated. “If we allow significant national decisions to be made behind closed doors and in secrecy, then we are no longer operating as a true democracy we’re merely pretending.”
He called on his fellow lawmakers to reflect on the long-term implications of their actions and to recommit to transparency, accountability, and constitutional duty.
“The 55th Legislature will leave a legacy. If we don’t change our course now, history will not remember us as protectors of the people’s trust but rather as its betrayers,” he warned.
The passage of the NPA amendment has sparked growing criticism from political commentators and civil society organizations, many of whom echo Bility’s concerns over the lack of public consultation and transparency.
As the debate intensifies, pressure is mounting for a more accountable and participatory legislative process a sentiment that appears to be resonating increasingly among the Liberian public.
