MONROVIA, Liberia- President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has vetoed 11 legislative bills and returned them to the House of Representatives for reconsideration, following what the Executive described as a thorough legal and policy review.
In his official communication to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, President Boakai explained that nine of the bills seek to establish new townships in Nimba County, while the remaining two propose the creation of new districts — one each in Nimba and Lofa Counties.
According to the President, the proposed township bills fail to meet the legal standards outlined in Section 2.16(e) of the Local Government Act of 2018. The Act stipulates that for a settlement to qualify as a township, it must have a population of at least 5,000 people, access to schools and health facilities, proper waste management, reliable transportation and communication systems, and clearly defined administrative boundaries.
President Boakai noted that the absence of these minimum requirements renders the proposals inconsistent with existing law, particularly in light of Liberia’s current infrastructural and economic limitations.
He further observed that the two district-related bills also fall short of compliance with Section 2.15 of the same Act, which outlines the legal framework for the establishment of sub-county governments. That provision mandates the dissolution of all existing statutory districts by November 23, 2025, following the retirement of their employees.
The President emphasized that the proposed district bills fail to clearly define whether the new districts are to be statutory or administrative, making their establishment both legally ambiguous and practically untenable.
President Boakai’s decision underscores his administration’s stated commitment to adherence to the rule of law, institutional reform, and the prudent application of governance standards outlined in the Local Government Act.
