Monrovia, Liberia – Pressure is mounting on Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Board Chairman Clarence K. Massaquoi to disclose revenues generated from the country’s telecommunications traffic monitoring system, following renewed calls from integrity institutions, journalists, civil society organizations and other accountability advocates for greater transparency.
Massaquoi has reportedly resisted the calls, maintaining that he is not accountable to the various groups and institutions seeking information on the revenue generated under the system and asserting that his accountability rests with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
He has also declined to provide a specific figure for the revenue generated during the past year, reportedly stating that he would not disclose any amount.
The refusal has intensified scrutiny of the LTA and placed renewed focus on the management of revenue generated through the International Gateway Monitoring System, which came under temporary LTA management following the government’s suspension of its arrangement with Telecom International Alliance (TIA).
Massaquoi has also disclosed that he is mindful of possible legal action from TIA, saying he has received a letter from the company’s legal team.
The development comes amid continuing debate over the management of the telecommunications monitoring system, public revenue and the responsibilities of government institutions to account for funds generated through state-regulated operations.
The dispute surrounding the system gained national attention after the government intervened in the LTA’s agreement with TIA.
On November 3, 2025, President Boakai issued Executive Order No. 154 suspending the LTA’s contract with TIA following findings by Liberia’s accountability and procurement institutions concerning alleged irregularities surrounding the agreement.
The Public Procurement and Concessions Commission subsequently raised concerns about aspects of the procurement process and the circumstances surrounding TIA’s establishment.
The government’s intervention resulted in the suspension of the arrangement and the transfer of temporary management of the International Gateway Monitoring System to the LTA.
The administration presented the action as part of efforts to protect public resources and address concerns identified in the original arrangement.
Following the suspension of the TIA arrangement, the LTA assumed temporary management of the International Gateway Monitoring System.
The Authority subsequently rejected allegations of corruption concerning its management of the system and expressed willingness to cooperate with an independent financial audit of revenues generated during the period.
The LTA has said an independent audit could account for the revenues generated through the system and provide clarity on how the funds were managed.
The latest calls for disclosure have nevertheless placed additional attention on the amount of money generated since the LTA assumed responsibility for the system.
Massaquoi’s refusal to provide a revenue figure has become a central point of concern among those demanding greater transparency.
The controversy has also revived debate over institutional accountability within Liberia’s public sector.
Massaquoi’s reported assertion that his accountability rests with President Boakai have drawn attention because the LTA is a public institution operating within Liberia’s broader legal, financial and regulatory framework.
For example, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Freeport of Monrovia, Liberia Electricity Corporation, among others, disclose revenue generated periodically. But the LTA has remained adamant.
The General Auditing Commission, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Procurement and Concessions Commission and other oversight institutions have statutory responsibilities involving public resources, procurement and financial management.
Civil society organizations and journalists also routinely scrutinize government operations and seek information concerning the management of public funds.
The demand for disclosure of the LTA’s revenue therefore forms part of a wider public accountability process rather than being limited to an individual dispute involving Massaquoi.
The controversy comes as the LTA has publicly emphasized accountability and transparency as part of its institutional agenda.
In July 2026, the LTA Board signed a 2026 performance contract focused on accountability, transparency and service delivery.
The Authority said the agreement established performance targets and benchmarks through which its performance would be evaluated.
The demand for financial disclosure now places those commitments under increased public scrutiny.
Providing verified financial information or facilitating an independent audit could offer a means of resolving the growing controversy and establishing a documented account of revenues generated under the LTA’s management.
Massaquoi’s disclosure that he has received a letter from TIA’s legal team introduces a potential legal dimension to the dispute. But sources at LTA said at the time Massaquoi made the remarks, TIA had not communicated to them.
The contents of the correspondence have not been fully made public.
The existence of a potential legal dispute also makes clarity over the financial records increasingly important, particularly where information can be disclosed without interfering with legal proceedings.
A distinction can be maintained between confidential legal correspondence and aggregate information concerning public revenue.
The renewed pressure on Massaquoi comes amid longstanding calls by Liberian civil society organizations for stronger transparency in public financial management and government contracting.
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia and other accountability advocates have consistently pushed public institutions to provide greater access to information involving public resources.
Journalists have similarly sought greater disclosure from government institutions as part of their responsibility to inform the public and scrutinize the management of state resources.
The LTA revenue dispute has consequently become another test of how public institutions respond to legitimate demands for financial accountability.
The issue also presents a governance challenge for the Boakai administration.
The President’s decision to suspend the TIA arrangement was linked to concerns raised by accountability and procurement institutions.
The administration has repeatedly emphasized transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources as important elements of its governance agenda.
The continuing uncertainty over revenues generated under the LTA’s temporary management could therefore place additional pressure on the government to ensure that the matter is addressed through established oversight mechanisms.
An independent audit could establish the total amount generated, the dates and sources of collections, the accounts into which the funds were deposited and how the revenues were allocated or transferred.
Such an exercise could also provide an authoritative record capable of resolving competing claims surrounding the system.
At the heart of the controversy is the management of a public revenue-generating system and the responsibility of officials entrusted with its administration.
The LTA regulates a critical national sector and exercises public authority over telecommunications operators and related activities.
Financial transparency within such an institution is therefore directly connected to public confidence.
The continued refusal to disclose the revenue figure, coupled with Massaquoi’s assertion that his accountability rests with President Boakai and his disclosure of possible legal action from TIA, has intensified attention on the relationship between executive authority and Liberia’s broader accountability framework.
The issue is expected to remain under scrutiny as civil society organizations, journalists and oversight institutions continue to seek clarification.
For the Boakai administration, the controversy provides an opportunity to demonstrate that its stated commitment to accountability applies equally to institutions operating under the Executive Branch.
For the LTA, disclosure of verifiable financial records or cooperation with an independent audit could provide an avenue toward greater public confidence.
Until the revenue generated through the telecommunications monitoring system is clearly established and independently verifiable, scrutiny surrounding its management is likely to continue.
The controversy has consequently emerged as another significant test of Liberia’s commitment to transparency, institutional accountability and the responsible management of public revenue.
