By Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe
My fellow citizens, let’s be unequivocal: modernization does not equate to surrender.
The outsourcing of key government services undermines Liberian economy and security. When we grant work permits, resident permits, driver’s licenses, and vehicle registrations to foreign operators, we are not luring investment; rather, we are effectively exporting our economic wealth out of Liberia.
Portions of the fees by the foreign companies to which these key civil service functions are outsourced, do not stay in our economy—they are swiftly transferred to foreign bank accounts of those companies. This represents money that could be invested in essential services, such as paying our dedicated teachers, nurses, and police officers, but instead, it vanishes beyond our borders.
CETIS Liberia Inc., a Slovenian company, for example, gets 40% of the fees collected by it for work permits. This means that with an increment of work permit fee to US$3000, CETIS will be getting US$1200 for each work permit issued. The implications are clear: diminished revenue within our country and escalating unemployment rates. The reduction of money and jobs will create more hungry people and obviously more angry people, thereby undermining our peace and security. This will be the obvious consequence of outsourcing essential government services.
True investors are those who lay foundations for tangible progress such as building factories. They actively contribute to the local economy by harnessing our abundant natural resources. Instead of simply extracting raw materials, they transform our cocoa into high-quality chocolate, convert our rich iron ore into refined steel, and turn our uncut diamonds into polished gems. They process our gold into valuable bullion and innovate to create products from our rubber, such as durable tires, medical gloves, and industrial hoses. Furthermore, they utilize our timber to craft exquisite furniture. This is the pathway to a thriving nation—one that fosters sustainable job creation, nurtures skill development, and enhances exports—not by privatizing government functions like toll booths. There is a significant concern that arises when contracts involve revenue sharing with foreign firms. These companies receive payment for each permit and license they issue, which incentivizes them to prioritize quantity over quality.
As a result, they may relax regulations, expedite the processing of applications without adequate scrutiny, and flood the job market with foreign workers. This, not only undermines the integrity of our regulatory framework but also poses a serious threat to employment opportunities for Liberians. Government’s policies, decisions or actions should serve to protect the interests of the Republic and its citizens, rather than support a profit-driven business model that thrives on high volume.
We can pursue modernization and technological advancement without sacrificing our sovereignty or transferring control to foreign entities. For example, the Liberian National Bar Association adeptly manages the licensing of legal professionals according to its own standards, demonstrating that self-governance is achievable. The Liberia Business Registry, while utilizing sophisticated foreign technology, still retains the essential responsibility of registering businesses and issuing certificates. This serves as a model for us: we can invest in necessary tools and technologies while ensuring that power, data authority, and fee collection remain firmly in public hands. Outsourcing of government services is another form of legalized theft. Government is a place to serve, not to steal.
