By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Paynesville, Liberia, June 3, 2026 – Senator Momo T. Cyrus, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veterans Affairs, has launched renewed criticism against the Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI) deal, labeling it a “big scam.” Senator Cyrus questioned LTMI’s capacity to deliver on its assigned responsibilities.
He made these remarks during an assessment of Liberia’s current state under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Unity Party (UP) administration, emphasizing the need for intentional government action to create opportunities for Liberians and foster greater local participation in the economy.
Speaking on state broadcaster ELBC, Cyrus reiterated his opposition to outsourcing key public services that Liberians are capable of managing themselves. He argued that such arrangements relegate citizens to spectators in their own country, rather than empowering them economically.
The LTMI concession traces back to September 2018, when the Government of Liberia signed a 25-year agreement with the company to modernize the nation’s traffic management system. The deal received legislative ratification in December 2018 and was published in 2019.
LTMI was granted authority to finance, develop, operate, and eventually transfer a nationwide traffic management system. Its responsibilities include driver licensing and testing, vehicle registration, license plate issuance, vehicle inspections, traffic ticketing and enforcement, towing services, urban parking management, and centralized traffic data systems.
Senator Cyrus asserted that the deal reflects broader governance issues, stating that public dissatisfaction with the Boakai administration remains high.
He called the deal one of government’s “saddest mistakes,” condemning the outsourcing of functions traditionally handled by the Ministry of Transport to a foreign-owned company.
Although ratified in 2018, implementation was delayed by legal disputes and competing agreements. LTMI contested a subsequent Public-Private Partnership with the Modern Development Management Corporation (MDMC), claiming it violated LTMI’s existing rights. The dispute led to court proceedings and protracted delays.
In July 2025, the Liberian Senate suspended implementation and initiated an investigation into the deal’s legality, financial impact, and national security implications. Several senators, including Cyrus, called for a full review or cancellation. The House of Representatives also suspended LTMI operations pending legislative review.
After a Supreme Court ruling reportedly cleared legal obstacles, the government moved to activate the concession. The Ministry of Justice then announced that LTMI would assume responsibility for driver licensing and vehicle registration services nationwide.
In February 2026, President Boakai directed the transfer of licensing and registration functions from the Ministry of Transport to LTMI, with the ministry retaining regulatory and inspection roles.
Recently, controversy emerged over claims that LTMI is issuing substandard or questionable driver’s licenses and vehicle documents.
The LTMI concession remains one of the most contentious public-private partnerships in Liberia’s transport sector. Supporters believe it will modernize traffic services, boost efficiency, and improve road safety, while critics raise concerns about transparency, employment, state revenue, and control over strategic public functions.
