Amidst claims and counterclaims about the Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI) taking over of vehicle registration and inspection, as well as printing of driver licenses and license plates, the National Civil Society Union of Liberia (NACSUL) has expressed its unwavering support for the LTMI, emphasizing that there is a legal and binding agreement between the company and the Government of Liberia (GOL), and until that agreement is nullified the government should live up to its side of the bargain.
In a press statement issued by NACSUL and signed by its President, Amos B.S. Kanneh, the group underscored the need for the government to honor signed concession agreements, if it is serious about providing a favorable investment image to potential investors. The group’s statement comes a day after members of the Liberian Senate made a decision to meet with President Joseph N. Boakai to advise that he suspends the LTMI Agreement.
During Senate plenary on Thursday, July 24, 2025, it was decided that they would meet with the President on the matter, due to widespread public concern and internal protests by some Ministry of Transport employees who argue that the agreement outsources vital government services to a foreign-owned company without due diligence or national consultation.
However, NACSUL has revealed that the LTMI concession was reviewed and approved by both Houses of the National Legislature, after all due diligence and consultations. The group said more than 50% of those who passed the concession are still at the Legislature, including former Representative now Senator James Biney, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, and the now Senate Pro-Tempore, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.
The group argued that it is hypocritical for lawmakers who carried out proper due diligence before signing the concession to hide behind a group of people who have defrauded government revenue for so long to push for a halt of a deal that has already began to show its ability in properly delivering the needed service to the public. According to the group, this is more about personal and selfish interests than protecting the interest of the state, which should not be encouraged.
NACSUL recalled that the government outsourced vehicle registration, and the printing of driver licenses and license plates to MDMC several years ago, but because the company does not have the capacity to fully implement the deal it had to reluctantly maintain its operations at the Transport Ministry and only collect monies generated as its share of the profit.
The group added that its investigations have revealed that the MDMC has been robbing government of much-needed revenue and is using Transport Ministry employees to carry out its function when, in fact, they should be operating from their headquarters with their own employed staffs.
NACSUL said because Transport Ministry employees have been carrying out MDMC functions for so long, they now believe that they work for MDMC, and transitioning the company would affect their employment with the ministry, which is far from reality. According to the group, LTMI is open to applications from qualified Liberians to serve in varied capacities, such as those they have served in, and have since employed over 200 Liberians to jumpstart its operations.
The civil society group claimed that some Transport Ministry workers have been used as pawns to fight a proxy war for MDMC, but called on them not to allow themselves to be used by elements of MDMC for their selfish agenda, noting that as civil servants their allegiance is with the government and the general public and not to any private company.
The group then commended President Boakai and his administration for giving green light to the operations of the Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI), thereby vitalizing and modernizing the transport sector, which has lagged behind for many years. NACSUL noted that, with the reform being implemented by LTMI, government will soon begin to realize huge revenue generation from this sector.
NACSUL observed that LMTI is being fought at a time when it is striving to offer distinguished service to the Liberian people and cooperate in empowering LNP in maintaining a sound road and traffic safety for them.
Meanwhile, NACSUL has informed the general public that LTMI has begun issuing driver licenses, license plates and car registration as approved by the government, and advice the public to abide by the government’s order to do business with them.
The group said while it welcomes the senators’ decision to meet with the president and advise him on the matter, it is making it unequivocally clear that the Liberian Senate does not have the authority to stop LTMI from carrying out its concessionaire functions, as doing so may have legal consequences.
