MONROVIA – In a recent appearance on the Super Morning Show on ELBC radio, Senator Momo Cyrus, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, voiced strong opposition to the Liberian government’s decision to outsource vehicle registration and driver’s license issuance to Liberia Traffic Management (LTM), a foreign-controlled entity.
Senator Cyrus described the government’s move as a “gross misjudgment” that poses serious threats to national security, economic stability, and sovereignty.
He emphasized that allowing a foreign commercial interest to manage such critical functions is not acceptable for any sovereign nation.
“No sovereign nation entrusts vital identification and vehicular regulatory functions to a foreign commercial interest,” Senator Cyrus stated.
He warned that this decision could lead to significant risks, including potential data breaches and a loss of national control over transportation systems.
The agreement with LTM, originally signed in 2019, grants the company substantial authority over essential national functions, such as biometric data management, GPS tracking, identity verification, and oversight of registered vehicles in Liberia.
Senator Cyrus stressed that such sensitive information should be managed by domestic institutions, particularly considering its crucial role in terrorism prevention, law enforcement coordination, and border security.
In addition to the national security implications, Senator Cyrus raised concerns about the economic ramifications of the outsourcing deal. He criticized the revenue-sharing structure that allows LTM to retain 70% of the proceeds from driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, license plates, and roadworthiness certificates.
According to him, this arrangement fails to provide fair value for Liberia and lacks key protections, including a guaranteed minimum revenue, an escalation clause, and a cap on profits.
Senator Cyrus’ condemnation of the outsourcing decision has sparked a broader conversation about national sovereignty and the importance of keeping essential functions within domestic control.
As the debate continues, many are left to ponder the implications of entrusting critical national services to foreign entities.
