By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, January 16, 2026: A heated debate has emerged in Liberia as Montserrado County Senator Abraham D. Dillon and the Liberia Dock Staff Union (DOWUL) categorical sharply contrasting views on the Port Autonomy invoice.
The laws, which has reached President Joseph N. Boakai’s desk after being authorised by each homes of the Legislature, has sparked public protests and ignited a fierce dialogue about the way forward for Liberia’s ports.
The Dock Staff Union of Liberia is the official consultant physique of dock staff throughout Liberia’s seaports. Established in 1972, DOWUL has been on the forefront of advocating for the rights, welfare, and dealing circumstances of all maritime and dock staff, to make sure truthful labor practices, improved wages, and secure working atmosphere whereas fostering unity {and professional} development amongst members.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, members of DOWUL staged a peaceable protest on the fundamental entrance of the Govt Mansion.
The demonstrators, carrying placards and chanting slogans, known as on President Boakai and the Govt department to reject the Port Autonomy invoice. They described the invoice as “full evil and wickedness,” arguing that it’s detrimental to each the nation and the Liberian workforce. Protesters additionally singled out Sen. Dillon and Senate Professional-Tempore Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence, the invoice’s main sponsors, labeling them as “felony and evil folks.”
In the course of the protest, the group’s petition was acquired by President Boakai’s Political Adviser, Madam Macdella Cooper.
Of their petition, the union argued that the invoice is counterproductive to port growth, lacks empirical supporting knowledge, and underestimates the excessive operational prices related to port growth. Additionally they warned that the invoice units a harmful precedent for Liberia’s unitary system of presidency and poses dangers that outweigh any potential advantages.
In distinction, Sen. Dillon has vigorously defended the invoice, calling it a transformative financial instrument for Liberia’s port infrastructure and job creation.
Showing on ELBC Thursday, January 15, 2026, described the invoice as a transformative financial instrument for Liberia’s port infrastructure growth and job creation.
He clarified that the proposed Ports Independence Invoice isn’t supposed to focus on or undermine anybody at the moment in workplace however maintained that it serves as an financial transformation software for nationwide growth and progress.
He additional defined that granting independence to the ports of Harper, Greenville, Buchanan, and Monrovia would create extra jobs, strengthen Liberian-owned companies, empower native authorities, and generate elevated income for county growth.
Dillon additional argued that the invoice is at the moment earlier than the President and that Liberians should await the end result. He added that after signed into legislation, the ports may have managers appointed by the President, alongside the institution of a Port Regulatory Authority to supervise port operations throughout the counties.
Senator Dillon dismissed claims that the initiative seeks to undermine the positions of present officers, emphasizing that the invoice is a nationwide growth reform aimed toward bettering financial development and effectivity.
Nevertheless, the Secretary Common of DOWUL, Mr. E. Henry J. Tolbert, Jr., voiced sturdy opposition to the invoice, highlighting that it was crafted with out consulting the employees.
He argued that as the first stakeholders, dock staff ought to have been concerned within the formulation course of to make sure their pursuits and people of the broader Liberian inhabitants had been thought of.
Tolbert dismissed claims of being sponsored by the Nationwide Port Authority Managing Director and clarified that the union’s actions are motivated by issues about job safety.
He recommended that underneath the present single port system, all points addressed by the brand new legislation could possibly be resolved with out dividing port administration.
Tolbert warned that dividing the ports might create confusion about staff’ positions, enhance liabilities, and put jobs in danger. He urged President Boakai to veto the invoice, stating, “If the ports are divided now with this new legislation, the state of affairs will turn into horrible. The employees might be going to Monrovia for redress to know the place their place stands. We’re doing the work, we’re skilled folks, and so, the legislature doesn’t perceive that for this reason they’re doing this. Folks might be out of a job, and the liabilities might be many. Due to this fact, we wish the President to veto this legislation.” He stated. -Edited by Othello B./ Garblah.
