A group of Liberia’s main transport unions has asked President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to step in and address serious problems affecting the country’s transportation sector. The petition, handed in on Monday, raises issues about a controversial deal with the Liberia Traffic Management (LTM) company and the use of U.S. dollars for traffic fines.
Unions Oppose LTM Deal
The unions are mainly concerned about the concession agreement with LTM, a foreign company responsible for collecting drivers’ and vehicle owners’ bio-data during registration and licensing. They believe this deal risks national security and violates citizens’ privacy.
“The LTM deal puts private information at risk and threatens national security,” the petition says. The unions want the deal canceled immediately and for the government to let Liberian agencies handle these sensitive tasks.
Call to Change 1972 Traffic Law
The unions also criticized the enforcement of the Vehicle and Traffic Law from 1972, which requires fines to be paid in U.S. dollars. They say this is unfair and burdensome given the current economic struggles.
“It’s unfair to charge fines in U.S. dollars during tough economic times. We suggest fines be changed to Liberian dollars,” the petition states.
They urged lawmakers to update the law, especially the parts about traffic penalties, to better fit today’s economic and social realities.
Suggestions for Safer Roads
Besides the issues with fines and the LTM deal, the unions proposed ways to improve road safety and strengthen the transport sector. Their main suggestions include:
Limiting traffic tickets to key areas like vehicle registration, driver’s licenses, insurance, and restrictions on front-seat passengers. Providing land in all 15 counties for transport facilities such as union offices and training centers. Requiring annual driver training workshops led by the Liberia National Police (LNP). Including transport unions in the national budget through the Ministry of Finance to support their operations and safety programs.
Prince Gibson, Public Relations Officer of the Collaborating Transport Unions, signed the petition and stressed these proposals benefit not just the unions but all Liberians.
Legislative Response
The petition was officially received at the Capitol Building by members of the House of Representatives. Representative Sekou Kanneh, Chair of the House Executive Committee, assured the unions their concerns would be taken seriously.
“We also got a petition from the Ministry of Transport about the LTM, and I promise this issue won’t be ignored,” Rep. Kanneh told the drivers protesting.
Representative Foday Fahnbulleh, Chair of the House Committee on Concessions and Investment, praised the unions for their peaceful protest. “You have exercised your rights responsibly, and we appreciate your approach,” Fahnbulleh said.
The House Claims and Petitions Committee, led by Montserrado County District #8 Representative Prince A. Toles, will review the petition. This will be discussed alongside ongoing talks about the LTM deal and wider transport reforms.
Waiting for Executive Mansion’s Reply
While the Legislature has acknowledged the petition, the Executive Mansion had not yet responded at press time. Still, union leaders are hopeful that President Boakai’s administration will listen and act in the best interest of drivers and commuters across Liberia.
Observers say the petition’s outcome could greatly affect Liberia’s transport sector, balancing national security with economic relief for drivers.
For now, the Collaborating Transport Unions remain firm in their call for quick action to make the sector safer, more affordable, and fair for all Liberians.
