By: Laymah Kollie
Lofa County Senator and Chairman on Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs has written Plenary of the Liberian Senate to investigate the recent outsourcing of core traffic management services to Liberia Traffic Management, Inc. (LTMI) , a private, foreign-controlled entity.
A 25 year agreement already signed by the Government of Liberia and LTMI officially kick-off as of Wednesday July 16, 2025.
Under the LTMI will take on full responsibility of core traffic-related services ranging from vehicle registration, driver’s licensing, enforcement of traffic violations, toll collection, and freight truck management.
This foreign company is expected to work in line with the Liberian National Police to enforce compliance with all traffic laws and regulation.
The controversial deal has sparked debate in the public with workers of Transport Ministry staging protest against it.
The workers argued that the deal would badly affect citizens by putting over 200 transports’ workers out of job and making four departments at the ministry dormant.
Departments affected are: Motor Division, Inspectorates, Driver License and License Plate.
Communication from Senator Momo Cyrus craved Senate indulgence to invite the Minister of Justice and Attorney General along with the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police to provide understanding on the collection and management of data by the foreign entity without violation of privacy.
The Lofa County’s Senator communication also tends to address the presentation of a legal framework under which the outsourcing arrangement was made; to clarify the oversight mechanisms put in place to prevent misuse or data leakage; while assuring the Senate that no national security interest or statutory mandate has been compromised.
Their appearance will at the same time seek to address the scope and limits of LTMI’s operational mandate in relation to the Liberia National Police Traffic Division and the Ministry of Transport.
“In my capacity as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs, and in keeping with the oversight responsibilities assigned to this committee, I respectfully request the endorsement of Plenary to invite the Minister of Justice and Attorney General along with the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police to appear before the Liberian Senate to address mounting national security concerns surrounding the recent outsourcing of core traffic management services to a private, foreign-controlled entity, namely Liberia Traffic Management, Inc. (LTMI).
According to Sen. Cyrus, while efforts to improve traffic efficiency and road safety are commendable, the outsourcing arrangement which grants LTMI significant authority over vehicle registration, licensing, and enforcement operations raises several security and sovereignty red flags:
He stressed that firm may gain unrestricted access to the Biometric and logistical data of vehicle owners and operators nationwide, including government and diplomatic fleets. Noting, integration of a foreign-controlled firm into the issuance and authentication of license plates, vehicle tags, and official decals introduces the risk of unauthorized duplication, forgery, and potential sabotage.
The Chairman argued that the operation of such functions to LTMI would contribute to loss of State Oversight and Command.
“Delegating enforcement functions, including Towing and traffic violation enforcement, to a private entity blurs the line between state authority and commercial interest-undermining public trust and police legitimacy”.
Keen amongst Sen. Cyrus’s points is the transparency and accountability regarding revenue collection and legal basis of revenue-sharing agreements tied to fines, registration fees, and enforcement surcharges administered by the private firm. He said “precedent for Privatizing Core Security Functions:
This move may open the door to future outsourcing of other critical state functions traditionally held under public law enforcement”.
However, the Senate has taken action to invite relevant authorities to the August Body for scrutiny.
Meanwhile, The Minister of Justice and others are expected to appear before Plenary in the coming days.
