The Liberian House of Representatives has intervened in a growing controversy surrounding the Liberia Traffic Management (LTM) concession, ordering a complete suspension of the company’s operations and returning control of traffic management to the Ministry of Transport. This decisive action comes after LTM’s failure to appear before a legislative hearing investigating concerns raised by Ministry employees and commercial drivers about the 25-year concession agreement. The hearing was scheduled following a petition submitted by over 200 Ministry of Transport employees who protested potential job losses affecting at least 265 of their colleagues and projected revenue losses exceeding US$275 million over the concession’s lifespan. These concerns, coupled with allegations of excessive ticketing and extortion by LTM officers against commercial drivers, prompted lawmakers to initiate a thorough review of the agreement.
The controversy surrounding the LTM concession gained momentum when the Liberian Senate also called for President Boakai to halt its implementation. This Senate action, followed by a mass protest by commercial drivers against LTM’s practices, further intensified the pressure on the government to address the growing public discontent. The drivers’ complaints echoed those of the Ministry employees, focusing on the alleged exploitative nature of LTM’s enforcement activities and the perceived unfairness of the concession agreement. This convergence of concerns from different stakeholder groups highlighted the widespread dissatisfaction with LTM’s operations.
The House of Representatives’ Joint Committee on Investment and Concessions and Transport summoned LTM and other relevant parties for a hearing to address these concerns. While other parties complied with the summons, LTM’s conspicuous absence, without any formal explanation, was interpreted as a blatant disregard for legislative authority. This defiance prompted the Committee to issue a “still order,” effectively halting all LTM operations pending a comprehensive legislative review of the concession agreement. The Ministry of Transport was subsequently directed to resume its statutory responsibilities, including vehicle registration, driver licensing, and traffic law enforcement, in collaboration with the Liberia National Police.
The Committee’s decision underscores the Legislature’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in concession agreements. LTM’s failure to appear before the Committee not only hindered the investigative process but also signaled a potential disregard for the rule of law. The “still order” represents a firm stance against such non-compliance and reinforces the Legislature’s role in safeguarding public interests. The return of traffic management responsibilities to the Ministry of Transport is intended to provide stability and ensure the continued provision of essential services to the public while the concession agreement undergoes scrutiny.
The LTM concession, originally signed in 2018 and ratified by the Legislature in the same year, aimed to modernize and digitize Liberia’s traffic management system. Its stated objectives included revenue generation, improved road safety, and reduced corruption. However, the recent protests and allegations raise serious questions about whether the concession has achieved these goals. The concerns about job losses, revenue losses, and exploitative practices paint a picture of a concession that has potentially deviated from its intended purpose. The Legislature’s investigation is crucial to determining the validity of these claims and assessing the overall impact of the LTM concession.
The controversy surrounding the LTM concession has become a significant test of governance and accountability in Liberia. The Legislature’s intervention reflects a commitment to addressing public concerns and ensuring that concession agreements serve the best interests of the nation. The ongoing investigation will determine the future of the LTM concession and could potentially lead to significant reforms in how such agreements are structured and implemented in the future. The outcome of this process holds considerable implications for Liberia’s transportation sector and the broader governance landscape.
