20/10/2025
In Quest Liberia Applauds President Boakai's Bold Veto of Local Government Bills,Describes Move as Victory for Rule of Law and Good Governance
InQuest Liberia has hailed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for what it calls a courageous and principled decision to veto eleven controversial local government bills recently passed by the National Legislature.
The bills proposed the establishment of nine new townships in Nimba County and two new districts in Nimba and Lofa Counties.
According to InQuest Liberia’s Executive Director, Matthais Yeanay, the President’s action demonstrates a steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law, administrative integrity, and the spirit of the Local Government Act (LGA) of 2018 — Liberia’s cornerstone legislation for decentralization and local governance reform.
In his official communication to the House of Representatives, President Boakai cited “administrative and statutory deficiencies” in the proposed legislation. He referenced several key provisions of the LGA that the bills failed to meet:
Section 12.4.2 mandates a minimum population of 10,000 and the presence of basic public services, including healthcare, education, sanitation, and recreation, as prerequisites for township status.
Section 3.9 requires proper boundary demarcation and harmonization before the creation of new subdivisions.
Section 2.15(a–b) places a moratorium on establishing or modifying statutory districts for seven years post-LGA enactment, pending formal review by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
“This veto reflects not only legal fidelity but a clear understanding that political expediency must not override national development priorities,” said Mr. Yeanay.
At the same time, InQuest Liberia also drew attention to the 10-Year Implementation Plan (2020–2030) developed under the LGA.
The plan prioritizes Boundary Harmonization in its initial phase, citing ongoing issues such as overlapping or undefined boundaries, administrative confusion, and community disputes.
“Liberia’s recent experiences, like in Grand Kru County, reveal how poorly defined jurisdictions can lead to inefficiency, duplication, and even conflict,” Yeanay warned.
Moreover, InQuest Liberia issued a three-point appeal to members of the National Legislature including to pause new administrative creations until all boundary harmonization and mapping processes are completed in line with the LGA and its implementation framework.
Others are prioritize funding for the MIA, Liberia Land Authority (LLA), and Governance Commission (GC) to support boundary mapping and institutional strengthening, Support existing local structures, such as County Service Centers and County Councils, rather than expanding unsustainable jurisdictions.
Yeanay emphasized that genuine decentralization is not about multiplying administrative units but about enhancing governance, improving service delivery, and empowering local communities.
“The path to a functional, participatory, and accountable local governance system demands collective responsibility and unwavering respect for the rule of law,” he stated. “We urge lawmakers to partner with the Executive to ensure that decentralization remains transparent, lawful, and sustainable.”
Meanwhile, InfoQuest Liberia encouraged all stakeholders, including lawmakers, ministries, and civil society to recommit to the goals of the LGA and its 10-Year Implementation Plan for the benefit of all Liberians.
