President Joseph N. Boakai has vetoed 11 legislative bills for what he terms as ‘being inconsistent with existing laws.’ In a communication to Speaker Richard N. Koon on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, President Boakai said nine bills proposing the establishment of townships within Nimba County, and two bills proposing the creation of districts—one each in Nimba and Lofa Counties.
After reviewing the proposed bills for the establishment of Townships in Nimba County, President Boakai said the nine township bills do not meet the statutory requirements outlined in Section 2.16(e) of the Local Government Act of 2018, which stipulates minimum criteria for creating townships and boroughs.
He said those include: a minimum population of 5,000 residents, functional waste collection and disposal systems, access to primary and junior high school education, availability of health clinics, sports and recreational facilities, designated cemetery grounds, adequate transportation infrastructure, reliable transportation and communication services, and presence of business services such as motels, restaurants, and retail shops. The President noted that Liberia’s ongoing infrastructural and economic limitations continue to constrain access to essential services and employment opportunities.
He emphasized that any proposed township must clearly demonstrate compliance with the above statutory benchmarks, and the bills lack defined geographical boundaries, which are essential for the legal establishment of new political subdivisions. The President’s communication further noted that the two bills seeking to create new districts fail to meet the legal standards prescribed in Section 2.15 of the Local Government Act of 2018, which governs the establishment of Sub-County Local Governments, including Administrative Districts.
He said key provisions cited include: Section 2.15(a): All existing statutory districts shall remain in effect for seven years following the enactment of the Act, wherein the ministry responsible for local governance must retire all statutory district employees. He said statutory districts shall be dissolved because section 2.15(b): Administrative districts shall be managed by a District Advisory Council, District Commissioner, Administrative Officer, Finance Officer, and Development Officer.
Meanwhile, the Leadership of the House of Representatives has assured that it will engage constructively with the Executive Branch to review the President’s concerns and determine an appropriate course of action consistent with the Constitution and the Local Government Act of 2018.
