—-Criticism of Vehicle Registration Outsourcing Misses the Bigger Picture
Kolahun District, Lofa County – July 11, 2025
Senator Momo Tarnuekollie Cyrus’s recent condemnation of the Ministry of Transport’s partnership with Liberia Traffic Management (LTM) reflects not a calculated defense of national interests but a misinformed alarmism that threatens to derail much-needed reform in Liberia’s transport administration.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, Senator Cyrus raised concerns over the outsourcing of vehicle registration and driver’s license issuance to a private entity. At face value, these concerns—centered on sovereignty and data protection—sound legitimate. However, the substance of his critique appears to ignore Liberia’s long-standing systemic weaknesses in public service delivery.
For years, the Ministry of Transport has struggled with outdated infrastructure, inefficient processes, and significant revenue leakages. The decision to engage LTM represents not a careless concession, but an attempt to modernize a dysfunctional system. LTM’s entry into the transport sector, though not flawless, is part of a broader effort to streamline operations, improve compliance, and deliver services that meet international standards.
The Senator’s claim that the agreement is akin to the controversial CTN port deal is a flawed comparison. Unlike the CTN, which involved port logistics and cargo tracking with opaque benefits, the LTM agreement is based on a transparent revenue-sharing model—where LTM retains 70% and the government earns 30%. This reflects LTM’s heavy up-front investment in technology, infrastructure, and operational logistics. The sectoral differences between customs port management and motor vehicle administration further invalidate the analogy.
Senator Cyrus also alleged that over 200 Liberians would be displaced by the partnership. This claim, however, lacks verified evidence. On the contrary, LTM has publicly committed to absorbing qualified Liberian personnel and initiating retraining programs. The aim, according to both LTM and the Ministry of Transport, is to build local capacity and ensure continuity—not exclusion. Importantly, the Ministry retains its policy-making mandate, while enforcement functions remain with the Liberia National Police. This separation of roles aligns with global best practices in public sector management.
What is more troubling is that the Senator’s call for an immediate suspension of the arrangement is devoid of any practical alternative. No detailed proposal for internal reform was presented—only a call to halt progress. Such political grandstanding risks reversing gains in a sector long paralyzed by inefficiency and corruption. Liberia cannot continue to stall under the weight of outdated systems and politicized decision-making.
If there are gaps in the implementation of the LTM agreement, they should be identified and addressed through constructive oversight. Calls for transparency, accountability, and performance benchmarks are legitimate and welcome. However, such oversight must be driven by facts, not fear—by solutions, not slogans.
The Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs should focus on evidence-based evaluation. It should press for detailed reporting, engage stakeholders through hearings, and work with relevant ministries to ensure the protection of data, enhancement of service quality, and long-term value for the Liberian people.
The path to national progress will always encounter resistance—especially from those accustomed to the status quo. But Liberia’s development cannot be postponed in the name of rhetoric. Real reform demands political courage, technical innovation, and collaborative spirit.
It is time for leaders to rise above partisanship and support pragmatic solutions that serve the greater public interest. The future of transport reform—and broader service delivery—depends on it.
