MONROVIA – Lofa County Senator Momo Tarnuekollie Cyrus, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, has issued a sharp condemnation of the Liberian government’s decision to outsource the issuance of driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations to Liberia Traffic Management (LTM), a foreign-controlled company. His strong reaction comes just days before the official rollout of LTM’s mandate on July 13, 2025, which was confirmed in a recent public statement by the Liberia National Police (LNP).
In a statement released Friday, July 11, Senator Cyrus described the decision as a “gross misjudgment” with “grave national security, economic, sovereignty, and accountability implications.” He warned that no sovereign nation should entrust such vital responsibilities, particularly those involving biometric data, geographic tracking, and citizen identity, to a foreign commercial interest. “National security is not for sale,” Senator Cyrus declared, arguing that outsourcing such sensitive tasks undermines Liberia’s internal security structure and exposes the country to the risk of data exploitation and breaches.
The Senator also raised alarm over the financial structure of the 2019 agreement between the Liberian government and LTM, under which the foreign company retains 70 percent of all revenues generated from licenses, roadworthiness certificates, and vehicle registrations, leaving just 30 percent for Liberia. He described this arrangement as “grossly unfair” and “economically reckless,” particularly when compared to other public-private partnerships such as the CTN port agreement, where government revenue shares exceed 40 percent.
Cyrus expressed deep concern over the deal’s impact on public institutions, noting that the Ministry of Transport has effectively been stripped of its statutory responsibilities and revenue streams, while the Liberia National Police has been relegated to mere enforcement without financial benefit. Additionally, he lamented the displacement of more than 200 Liberians, mostly professionals from the Ministry of Transport and the LNP, whose roles have now been handed to a foreign entity. “In a country already battling high unemployment, this action is both economically reckless and morally unacceptable,” he added.
The Senator accused the government of betraying public trust and sacrificing national dignity, warning that the move constitutes a direct affront to Liberian sovereignty and violates the state’s monopoly over core security-related functions. He questioned the vetting process of LTM and demanded clarity on the legal framework under which the company was awarded such a sensitive mandate.
Cyrus called for the immediate suspension of the deal pending a full legislative inquiry, urging President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to reverse the decision and demonstrate his commitment to transparency, national security, and economic fairness.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police, led by Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman, on Thursday, July 10, visited LTM’s headquarters in Paynesville as part of ongoing preparations for the July 13 rollout. The police toured the facilities, assessed operational readiness, and held discussions with LTM leadership. According to the LNP, beginning July 13, all driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations must be obtained exclusively from LTM. Any documents issued elsewhere after that date will be deemed invalid and subject to enforcement. However, documents issued prior to July 13 will remain valid until their expiration.
Despite LNP’s assurances of a smooth transition, the controversy surrounding the LTM arrangement appears far from over, with mounting calls for legislative action and public scrutiny over the government’s handling of the concession.
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