Senator Momo Tarnuekollie Cyrus, Chair of the Liberian Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, has issued a stark warning against the Liberian government’s decision to outsource vehicle registration and driver’s license issuance to Liberia Traffic Management (LTM), a foreign-controlled entity. Senator Cyrus argues that this decision jeopardizes national security by relinquishing control over sensitive citizen and vehicular data to a foreign company, potentially exposing Liberia to data breaches and exploitation. He emphasizes that national security is paramount and should not be compromised for commercial interests. This outsourcing, according to Senator Cyrus, weakens Liberia’s internal security architecture, which relies heavily on controlling licensing and registration data for critical functions such as terrorism prevention, border control, and law enforcement coordination.
The Senator also criticizes the economic terms of the 2019 agreement with LTM, which grants the company 70% of the revenue generated from licenses, registrations, and related services, leaving only 30% for Liberia. He contrasts this with other public-private partnerships, such as the CTN port agreement, where the government’s share exceeds 40%. Furthermore, the agreement lacks crucial provisions such as a guaranteed minimum payment for Liberia, revenue escalators tied to economic growth or traffic volume, and a cap on LTM’s profits. This structure, Senator Cyrus argues, allows LTM to reap unchecked profits while Liberia bears the infrastructure burden, particularly during periods of high registration activity.
The outsourcing arrangement also strips the Ministry of Transport of its statutory mandate and revenue-generating capacity, reducing the Liberia National Police’s role to mere enforcement without access to traditionally collected revenues. Senator Cyrus laments the displacement of over 200 Liberian professionals from the Ministry of Transport and the LNP, whose jobs have been transferred to the foreign operator. This move, he argues, exacerbates Liberia’s already high unemployment rate and is both economically irresponsible and morally reprehensible.
Senator Cyrus frames the government’s decision as an affront to Liberian sovereignty, a violation of the principle of state control over security-related functions, and a betrayal of public trust. He questions the vetting process of LTM, the company’s track record, the legal framework under which the contract was awarded, and the lack of transparency regarding revenue, citizen data protection, and parliamentary oversight. He calls upon the Liberian people to demand answers to these crucial questions.
The Senator urges an immediate suspension of the outsourcing arrangement pending a full legislative inquiry into its security, legal, and economic implications. He appeals to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to reverse the decision and demonstrate a commitment to protecting Liberian sovereignty, ensuring transparency, and upholding national security and economic fairness. Senator Cyrus believes this reversal is necessary to prioritize the interests of the Liberian people over foreign commercial interests.
Ultimately, Senator Cyrus’s condemnation underscores a fundamental concern about the balance between attracting foreign investment and safeguarding national interests. He argues that the agreement with LTM prioritizes short-term financial gains for a foreign entity at the expense of long-term national security, economic stability, and the well-being of Liberian citizens. He calls for greater scrutiny and transparency in such agreements to ensure they truly benefit the Liberian people and strengthen, rather than undermine, the nation’s sovereignty and security.
