By Socrates Smythe Saywon, Columnist
The decision by the Joint Committee on Investment and Concessions and Transport of Liberia’s House of Representatives on Thursday, July 31, 2025, to suspend all operations of the Liberia Traffic Management (LTM) reflects deep concerns about governance, transparency, and accountability in a critical public service sector. This bold move comes after LTM’s failure to honor a legislative summons to explain grievances raised by employees of the Ministry of Transport, an absence that has stalled investigations and prompted urgent legislative intervention.
The LTM’s no-show to the July 31, 2025 hearing, without even submitting a formal excuse, signals troubling disregard for parliamentary oversight. This act not only delays efforts to address public concerns but also casts doubt on the company’s willingness to be held accountable. The Committee’s issuance of a “still order,” effectively halting LTM’s operations pending a full review, highlights the gravity of the situation and underscores the legislature’s determination to assert control over critical transport functions.
Importantly, the Committee’s directive for the Ministry of Transport to resume its full statutory duties, including vehicle registration, driver’s licensing, and enforcement of transportation laws, demonstrates a commitment to restoring public services promptly. The involvement of the Liberia National Police, tasked to assist the Ministry in law enforcement, emphasizes a collaborative approach necessary in filling the operational vacuum created by LTM’s suspension.
However, the episode is symptomatic of broader systemic issues within Liberia’s governance framework. Concession agreements, intended to harness private sector efficiency, too often become vehicles for mismanagement and lack of accountability. The LTM case is a stark reminder of the dangers when public interest is sidelined, and private entities fail to meet transparency standards. This situation raises essential questions about the government’s oversight mechanisms, the quality and enforceability of concession contracts, and the genuine prioritization of citizen welfare.
Adding a political dimension, the comments by Mo Ali, Managing Director of Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) and senior Unity Party official, assert that the ruling party accepts full responsibility for the LTM concession agreement, taking “the public beating and bashing” alone. This unapologetic stance, while commendable for its ownership, also hints at a political environment where accountability may be circumscribed by party loyalty rather than an objective commitment to institutional reform.
Such statements suggest an attempt to control the narrative, distancing the current administration from past governments and consolidating both praise and blame within its tenure. While political ownership of policy outcomes is important, governance must transcend partisan lines, focusing on consistent, transparent, and accountable public service delivery. The tendency to claim exclusive credit or blame may deepen political polarization and distract from addressing underlying structural challenges.
The situation calls for urgent, systemic reforms. Legislative oversight must be more proactive and empowered to enforce compliance and transparency from concessionaires. The government must also strengthen contract management and ensure clear, enforceable performance benchmarks for private partners. Civil society and media watchdogs have crucial roles to play in demanding accountability and amplifying citizen voices.
Ultimately, the LTM saga is about more than just a transport concession. It reflects Liberia’s ongoing struggle to build institutions that prioritize the public good over political expediency or private profit. The suspension of LTM operations is an opportunity for Liberia to recalibrate governance standards in the transport sector and demonstrate a sincere commitment to transparency, service delivery, and respect for the rule of law.
Failing to seize this moment risks entrenching cynicism and further eroding public trust in government and its partners. Liberia’s citizens deserve a traffic management system that works efficiently, fairly, and transparently, not one mired in excuses, political blame games, and stalled investigations. The House of Representatives’ decisive actions are a step forward, but the real test lies in meaningful reforms and sustained political will to serve the people’s interests above all else.
Like this:
Like Loading…
