Lofa County Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veterans Affairs, Momo T. Cyrus, calls for the immediate suspension of outsourced vehicle registration and driver licensing. Senator Cyrus said the government’s decision to outsource vehicle registration and driver’s licenses exposes governance lapses, revenue risks, and national security vulnerabilities.
According to a statement issued Monday in Monrovia, Cyrus said the transfer of those functions from the mandated Ministry of Transport to Liberia Traffic Management, a foreign-controlled operator, undermines statutory order and weakens oversight of systems tied to public safety, identity management, and law enforcement coordination.
He stated that vehicle registration and licensing constitute core sovereign responsibilities because they involve sensitive personal, biometric, and vehicular data. He further warned that outsourcing such systems creates accountability gaps and exposes the country to strategic risks at a time when Liberia is facing transnational threats. The statement also raised fiscal concerns, saying the concession reportedly allows the operator to retain a disproportionate share of revenues from registration and licensing services, with limited safeguards to protect government income.
Senator Cyrus noted that the arrangement risks revenue leakage and reduces the state’s capacity to reinvest in transport safety, institutional development and security infrastructure. Cyrus cited reports claiming that more than 200 Liberian professionals were displaced following the transfer of vehicle registration and driver’s license to the Liberia Traffic Management.
Speaking on behalf of the Senate Security Committee, Cyrus acknowledged the importance of investors’ confidence; however, they want national security and statutory governance to take precedence. The Senate Standing Committee is proposing a comprehensive review to examine the legal basis of the transfer, the fiscal terms of the concession, data protection implications, and the broader impact on employment and public trust.
