CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – Representative Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County has formally expressed serious concern over reports that a financial bill valued at US$363.9 million, intended for the construction of roads along Liberia’s western and northern corridors, has allegedly passed the House of Representatives and is now under consideration by the Senate without proper plenary action or legislative approval. In a letter addressed to Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon on November 5, 2025, Bility warned that such an act could constitute a violation of both constitutional mandates and the rules governing legislative procedure.
“With the highest regard for the dignity of this August Body, I extend my compliments and write to express my grave concern regarding reports that a financial bill amounting to over Three Hundred Million United States Dollars has already passed the House of Representatives and is now being deliberated by the Honorable Liberian Senate,” Bility stated in his letter. He emphasized that, to his knowledge, no such bill has been presented, debated, or voted upon in Plenary as required under the law.
Bility referenced Article 34(d) of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, noting that all revenues collected by the Republic must be paid into a Consolidated Fund, from which no monies shall be withdrawn except through legislative enactment. “All financial bills must originate in the House of Representatives and not in the Senate, nor through any administrative or informal process,” Bility wrote, underscoring the constitutional authority of the House in financial matters.
The Representative further cited House Rules 39 and 40, which mandate that all bills, including financial and appropriation bills, must be read, debated, and individually voted upon in Plenary before transmission to the Senate. “It is therefore disturbing that a bill of such magnitude, representing a major financial commitment on behalf of the Liberian people, could find its way to the Senate without any public hearing, committee report, or plenary vote from this Honorable House,” Bility wrote.
According to Bility, bypassing the proper legislative channels not only undermines transparency and accountability but could also constitute an abuse of office by any person or office involved in unlawfully transmitting or endorsing the bill. “Our nation has suffered greatly from persistent disregard for the rule of law, from financial secrecy, and from executive overreach into legislative prerogatives. We cannot, in good conscience, continue to perpetuate practices that erode public trust and undermine the sovereignty of this legislative body,” he added.
The Nimba County lawmaker called for urgent clarification and action, urging Speaker Koon and the Plenary to seek formal explanations from the Senate regarding how it received the financial bill. He also demanded that the Chief Clerk provide a report on any communication or transmission of the bill and that an internal inquiry be conducted to determine whether legislative procedures were violated.
“Such action will not only uphold the dignity of this Honorable House but will also send a clear message to the Liberian people that we, their elected representatives, are committed to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” Bility emphasized. He warned that any unlawful act or procedural shortcut sets back Liberia’s democracy and weakens its institutions.
In closing, Bility urged the House to act decisively to protect its constitutional authority over financial legislation. “Let this House stand as a bulwark against such violations. Let us act now, firmly, transparently, and constitutionally, to ensure that the people’s House remains the custodian of all financial legislation as required by law,” he concluded.
