By K. Ericson Sayee
MONROVIA, Oct. 18 (LINA) – Political Leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) and Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility has defended the Ministry of Local Government’s decision to downgrade the status of some cities across Liberia.
Rep. Bility said his support for the ministry’s action is grounded in the Local Government Act of 2018, which, according to him, mandates the ministry to inspect cities nationwide and report its findings to the Legislature.
Speaking during a heated debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Bility argued that the ministry is required to report its findings to the Legislature but does not need further approval to carry out the action.
He urged his colleagues to carefully read and understand the law before concluding that the ministry had overstepped its authority.
The lawmaker maintained that the ministry had done nothing wrong, insisting that it was simply implementing the provisions of the law.
“The report the ministry is required to submit to this body is not for any further approval. The 54th Legislature passed the law and mandated its regular implementation, and that is what the ministry is doing,” Rep. Bility said in defense of the decision to downgrade some cities.
He added that the ministry’s decision was consistent with the Local Government Act.
The Nimba County lawmaker cautioned his colleagues against hastily condemning the ministry’s action, warning that doing so without a thorough understanding of the law could amount to interference with the authority vested in the Executive Branch.
“I want my colleagues to read the law. The Legislature passed the law and gave the executive the authority to do what they have done,” he said.
Bility also commended the Ministry of Local Government for taking steps to implement the law, which was enacted to promote decentralization and reform Liberia’s local government system.
Recently, Fatima Bintu Sirleaf, Deputy Minister for Urban Affairs at the Ministry of Local Government, announced the downgrading of some cities across the country.
She attributed the decision to the lack of essential amenities and facilities in the affected communities.
The announcement has since generated mixed reactions among Liberians, including lawmakers who have questioned the ministry’s authority to downgrade cities.
Some legislators argue that the power to change the status of cities rests with the Legislature.