—-amid Alleged Police Brutality, Over 260 Jobs on the Line as Employees Say Executive Branch Overstepped Law in LTM Concession
Monrovia, Liberia – Employees of the Ministry of Transport have formally petitioned the 55th Legislature, raising alarm over a 25-year concession agreement signed between the Government of Liberia and a private company known as Liberia Traffic Management (LTM).
The workers began early Thursday morning embarked on what they term as “peaceful protest” while heading to the grounds of the Capitol Building to present a petition, but Alleged a violence Police Attack that resulted into injury of one. Moment later, the petition was delivered to the house Speaker Richard N. Koon. The letter addressed to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, claim the deal allegedly backed by the Liberia National Police and the Ministry of Justice violates existing laws, threatens more than 260 public sector jobs, and could cost the Liberian government over US$275 million in lost revenue.
The LTM concession, which reportedly dates back to the previous administration under former President George Weah, is said to have resurfaced under the current Boakai administration, gaining momentum without the full involvement of the Ministry of Transport.
In their petition, the employees argued that the agreement undermines Section 33.5 of the Executive Law, which designates the Ministry of Transport as the sole authority responsible for transportation policy and operations across Liberia. They say the concession effectively outsources core functions of the Ministry such as vehicle registration, enforcement, and traffic monitoring to a private company.
“This agreement threatens the jobs of over 265 dedicated Liberian workers and could deny the government significant revenue it can generate internally,” the letter stated.
The employees argue that the Ministry already has the capacity to generate more than US$12 million annually, and has received US$125 million in national budget support to enhance its operations resources they believe make the concession unnecessary and counterproductive.
They also raised concern about the role of Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, who they allege played a central role in pushing the agreement forward. However, no official statement has yet been made by Coleman or the Liberia National Police.
The petition calls on the Legislature to review, scrutinize, and revoke the agreement, warning that its implementation would displace Liberian workers and jeopardize public revenue collection for decades.
“We are committed to building and serving Liberia,” the petitioners said. “This deal does not serve the national interest.”
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Transport leadership, or the Executive Mansion. The Legislature is expected to take up the matter in upcoming sessions.
