THE ENGLISH DICTIONARY defines the word ‘AFRONT’ as ‘an act or statement that causes offense, disrespect, or is perceived as insulting or demeaning. It is any action or behavior that is considered offensive or hurtful, often resulting in feelings of indignation or displeasure’.
THIS ‘DISRESPECT’ TO citizens of Liberia is exactly occurring at the Ministry of Transport (MOT), which has prioritized a Lebanese company over the two sections at the MOT authorized by law to perform two important tasks that have national security implications.
IN 2018, DURING the Administration of former President George Weah, the Government of Liberia entered into a concession agreement with Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated, LTMI, granting it the exclusive right to finance, design, build, operate, maintain, and transfer a comprehensive vehicle and traffic management system. This system encompasses a Traffic Ticket Management System, Vehicle Towing and Impound Management System, City Parking System, Vehicle Inspection System, and Driver Testing and Certification. LTMI was also tasked with constructing a License Plate Manufacturing Plant, developing a Driver License System, and establishing a Vehicle Registration System.
IN LIBERIA, THE term “concession” has long been associated with sweetheart deals quietly awarded to politically-connected individuals or companies—particularly in the natural resources sector. Now, it appears a similar pattern has emerged in the transportation sector.
IF THE TRANSFER of licensing and registration to LTMI is, in fact, a concession, then where is the transparency? Was there a public bidding process? Was the Legislature consulted? Were citizens informed? No official pronouncement has been made to clarify the legal basis for this shift. In the absence of such clarity, suspicion and speculation are inevitable—and justified.
AT A SENATE hearing in 2024, Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh and Transport Minister Sirleaf Tyler sparred over the agreement. During the Senate Transport Committee hearing, Minister Tyler vocally opposed recognizing the LTMI agreement, asserting it would undermine the Ministry’s core functions by outsourcing essential duties. He criticized a directive from the Ministry of Justice that mandates the transfer of significant responsibilities to LTMI, calling the arrangement “unfair.”
IN RESPONSE, MINISTER Tweh characterized Tyler’s statements as misleading and unproductive, urging the government to honor established agreements. “As a government, we must respect the rule of law,” Tweh stated, emphasizing the potential benefits the LTMI contract offers to the state and its citizens. But what benefit is the LTMI offering to the state and Liberians? To take away 70% share of revenue generated from services rendered while the Government takes 30%, instead of the previous 100% that went to Government, you call that benefits, Mr. Justice Minister?
IF LTMI IS now responsible for two of the Ministry of Transport’s most high-profile and revenue-generating functions, what role remains for the Ministry of Transport? Has it been reduced to a ceremonial institution? Is its work now limited to policy formulation on paper, while implementation lies in the hands of a private or semi-private body – a company reportedly owned by Lebanese who allegedly have ties with the terrorist group – Hezbollah? The Liberian Post (LTP) understands that Liberia’s traditional ally, the United States of America raised concerns about this LTMI company that is being granted such a concession. These are not rhetorical questions. They cut to the heart of institutional integrity and public accountability in Liberia’s governance.
ACCORDING TO LIBERIA’S Vehicle and Traffic Law of 1972, driver’s licensing and vehicle registration fall under the jurisdiction of the Motor Vehicle Bureau within the Ministry of Justice. The Liberia National Police (LNP) – which also falls under the Ministry of Justice – has reportedly played a role in outsourcing these functions to LTMI.
HOWEVER, AN ACT of the Legislature in 1987 established the Ministry of Transport to oversee all transportation-related functions in the Republic of Liberia. While the 1972 law may be outdated, modern governance principles dictate a clear separation between regulatory enforcement and service delivery to prevent conflicts of interest and abuse of power.
IN 2011, AS part of Liberia’s Transport Master Plan, efforts were made to repeal the 1972 law and establish an autonomous Driver License and Vehicle Registration Authority. Yet today, the LNP appears to be playing a central role in transferring this key function to a private body. Driver’s licensing and vehicle registration are not trivial administrative tasks – they are critical tools for law enforcement, road safety, and national security. So why would the police, of all agencies, support outsourcing these responsibilities? Is this about limited capacity within government ministries? A lack of resources? Or is it simply a convenient cover for private interests to gain control over a lucrative public service?
IN OTHER DEMOCRATIC nations, such a major transfer of public authority would prompt public hearings, investigative journalism, and likely legislative inquiry. In Liberia, however, vague justifications are offered, and the public is left to connect the dots on its own.
IN A WELL-GOVERNED state, the Ministry of Transport would be setting national transportation policy, supervising civilian service agencies, planning infrastructure, ensuring safety standards, and coordinating with law enforcement – not being sidelined by private interests. The growing influence of LTMI, particularly without reported legislative oversight or a clear legal framework, appears to represent yet another de facto concession – granted without public scrutiny.
UNFORTUNATELY, AND THE most troubling part: these arrangements are made with minimal oversight, eroding democratic accountability and centralizing power in the hands of the well-connected. The Public Deserves Answers. Liberians have a right to know: Who owns LTMI? What is the legal basis for its new mandate? What is the future role of the Ministry of Transport? Was this arrangement approved by the Legislature? And What safeguards exist to protect against abuse?
UNTIL THESE QUESTIONS are answered – clearly and publicly – public confidence will remain shaken, and rightly so. This is not merely a policy change; it is a governance issue that strikes at the very heart of Liberia’s institutional credibility.
IT CAN BE recalled President Joseph Boakai toured LTMI’s facility sometime back, which integrates multiple vehicle and driver services, including licensing and inspections. Boakai expressed hope that the center could become a vital revenue source for the government once legal issues were settled. But the President was not told is that LTMI will collect 70% of revenue that will be generated by the Lebanese company, while the government that previously got 100% under the Ministry of Transport will now pocket a minute 30%, something which signal significant drop in revenue from MOT.
DESPITE INDICATIONS THAT the Boakai administration supports the LTMI agreement, Minister Tyler remained skeptical at the time, warning that transferring fundamental responsibilities to a foreign firm could compromise the Ministry’s regulatory authority.
THE LTMI FACILITY, established in January 2019 with a US$50 million investment, remained idle due to legal disputes that lasted for sometime. It was previously set to have been launched last January with fanfare; the event drew confusion and disappointment when key officials withdrew at the last minute. After a heated exchange in the Senate back then, the Transport Committee postponed further discussions, instructing both Ministries to provide documentation to support their positions.
BUT THE LATEST announcement from the Liberia National Police that as of July 17, 2025, LTMI will automatically take over the issuing of driver’s licenses, vehicle registration among others, prompted employees of the Ministry of Transport to march on the grounds of the Capitol to petition their lawmakers to act in their defense and that of the State, because according to them, the LTMI’s agreement will put about 265 plus Liberians out of job at the MOT, render two departments irrelevant and will reduce government’s revenue in the transport sector.
THEREFORE, IN A significant move highlighting the Ministry of Transport employees’ concern, the House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Transport to investigate a contentious concession agreement reportedly forged between the Ministry of Justice and Liberia Traffic Management (LTM). This decision follows a formal petition presented by over 17 senior staff members and directors of the Ministry.
ON THURSDAY, THE concerned employees demonstrated their resolve by staging a peaceful walk to the Capitol Building, where they personally submitted their petition to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon. The petition outlines serious allegations regarding the agreement, which the employees argue poses a threat to the operational and legal integrity of the Ministry of Transport.
THE PETITIONERS ASSERT that the concession agreement, allegedly brokered with the involvement of Liberia National Police Inspector General, Gregory Coleman, breaches Section 33.5 of the Executive Law. This law grants the Ministry of Transport exclusive authority to govern and oversee transportation-related activities across Liberia.
AMONG THE ALARMING claims made in the petition, employees highlighted several potential consequences of the agreement: The possibility of laying off over 265 staff members from the Ministry. A projected diversion of approximately US$275 million in rightful government revenue over a duration of 25 years. An assertion that the Ministry of Transport could independently generate around US$12 million annually without entering into such disputed agreements.
LABELING LTMI AS a “private terrorist-financing group,” the petitioners questioned the legitimacy of the concession agreement, emphasizing the dire legal, economic, and humanitarian repercussions that could ensue if the agreement remains intact.
IN RESPONSE TO the petition, Speaker Koon communicated his commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the employees, assuring them that the matter would be promptly brought before the plenary for legislative evaluation.
FOLLOWING CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION, the House resolved to empower the Transport Committee to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the allegations, with a report expected within one week. The petition concluded with a fervent appeal for legislative action to “review, scrutinize, and revoke” the concession agreement, reinforcing the necessity to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the interests of public servants in Liberia.
THE LIBERIAN POST joins the Ministry of Transport’s staff in calling on the Legislature to take decisive action to resolve the ugly and ‘greedy’ twist within the transport sector involving the Liberia National Police, some elements of the Ministry Transport and Ministry of Justice.
PUTTING THE INTEREST of a foreign company (Lebanese-owned) over about 265 Liberians at the Ministry of Transport is an afront to their right to work, which is their fundamental human rights and the significant decline in revenue the LMTI’s concession will cause the Government of Liberia. Now is the time for the Legislature to act swiftly to save the jobs of Liberians and save the country of losing millions of dollars to a foreign company just to render services that are currently rendered effectively by the Ministry of Transports.
LIBERIANS ARE WATCHING, and those in charge who want to impose this Lebanese company down the throats of Liberians and foreign residents, will have themselves to blame when the public decides to take action against them for their selfish and greedy actions to the detriment of Liberians and the state. Liberians have the rights to their jobs and the state is key in revenue generation in the transport sector.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, the Legislature must act now to save the Transport sector, Liberians working at the Transport Ministry and must ensure that government’s revenue in the transport sector is not pocketed 70% by a foreign company that reportedly has ties to a terrorist group, Hezbollah. A hint to the wise …
