MONROVIA, Oct. 15– The House of Representatives has formally acknowledged and taken note of the eleven bills vetoed by President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. The legislative body plans to engage the Executive Branch to better understand the reasons for the vetoes and determine a path forward.
In a formal communication to House Speaker Koon, President Boakai justified his non-approval of the bills, which had been passed by the Legislature and sent to his office for consensus.
The eleven vetoed bills include nine bills proposing the establishment of new Townships within Nimba County, and two bills proposing the creation of additional Districts in Nimba and Lofa Counties.
In reviewing the bills, President Boakai stated that the nine township bills do not meet the statutory requirements outlined in Section 2.16(e) of the Local Government Act of 2018. This section stipulates the minimum criteria necessary for creating new townships and boroughs.
The unmet requirements pinpointed by the President 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.
- Presence of business services such as motels, restaurants, and retail shops.
Furthermore, the President cited ongoing infrastructural challenges and limited financial constraints facing the country, noting that essential services and employment opportunities must be swiftly addressed. He also expressed concern that the bills lack defined geographical boundaries, which are essential for the legal establishment of new political subdivisions.
Regarding the two bills proposing the creation of additional Districts in Nimba and Lofa Counties, President Boakai asserted that they do not 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.
The President cited two key subsections of the Act:
Section 2.15(a): This stipulates that all existing statutory districts shall remain in effect for seven years following the enactment of the Act, during which time the Ministry responsible for local governance must retire all statutory district employees. Thereafter, statutory districts shall be dissolved.
Section 2.15(b): This mandates that Administrative districts shall be managed by a District Advisory Council, District Commissioner, Administrative Officer, Finance Officer, and Development Officer.
As the Act, published on November 23, 2018, commands the dissolution of all statutory districts by November 23, 2025, the President highlighted that the two proposed bills fail to specify whether the new districts would be statutory or administrative. If they were intended as statutory districts, their legal lifespan would expire in approximately three months, making their creation improbable.
Following the review of the Executive’s critique and scrutiny of the vetoed bills, the Leadership of the House of Representatives has assured a commitment to constructively engage with the Executive Branch. The goal is to review the President’s concerns and determine an appropriate course of action consistent with the Constitution and the provisions of the Local Government Act of 2018.