Since the concession agreement between the Liberian government and Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI) came into force, commercial drivers and other road users have been expressing their frustration about the deal, blaming the Liberia National Police for outsourcing its function, even though the police have no role to play in ratifying agreements.
Individuals from the Ministry of Transport have also been upset about the deal, which led to two days of street protests requesting the government to halt the enforcement of the traffic management concession agreement. Now, commercial drivers have taken to the streets, specifically at the ELWA Junction, making demands.
On Monday, 28 July, the commercial drivers called for an end to “persistent harassment and unfair ticketing by traffic police officers.” They frowned at the government’s decision to outsource the issuance of driver’s license and vehicle registration to the LTMI.
The drivers also want the reversal of what they described as “excessive towing and impoundment fees.” According to the drivers under the banner of the Collaborating Transport Unions of Liberia, systemic abuse, economic disenfranchisement, and administrative overreach continue to affect thousands of commercial drivers across the country.
Prominent among the demands of the drivers is their opposition to the LTMI Concession agreement. They are contending that the concession was awarded without proper consultation, a decision they claimed threatens the jobs of Liberians in the sector, and risks skyrocketing service costs due to foreign-determined pricing.
The protesting commercial drivers indicated that the outsourcing of traffic management to foreigners undermines the function of the Ministry of Transport. Our reporter, who was on the scene of the protest, said protesters were heard blaming the LNP for outsourcing, while others are shifting blame to the Ministry of Transport for inciting the drivers to protest as long as the agreement is in force.
What is in the concession agreement?
The “Act to Ratify the Concession Agreement between the Government of Liberia and Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated” approved on December 21, 2018, by former President George Weah, was awarded to LTMI for 25 years. Section three under Concession and Term of the Agreement states, “Subject to and Applicable Law in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Government hereby grants to the Concessionaire the exclusive right to finance, design, build, operate, maintain, and transfer a vehicle and traffic management system.”
“The concessionaire shall have the exclusive right during the Term to perform the Facilities and services as set out below: “a Traffic Ticket Management system, the development of a web-based applicable that facilitates the management of traffic tickets issued by the LNP under section 12 of the vehicle and traffic Law, including for the issuance, payment, tracking of traffic violations, and the calculation and management of demerit points accumulated against an offender’s driver license according to the vehicle and traffic Law.”
The Agreement also indicated that “The printing of traffic tickets by the concessionaire shall comply with Section 12.52 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. ii) C vehicle Towing and Impound Management system. The provision, operation, and management of secure vehicle impound lots in the fifteen (15) counties in accordance with the approved Development plan, operation of tow services consistent with police mandated towing for violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and a procedure for coordination between the LNP and concessionaire in the system. No later than the Handover Date, the concessionaire shall ensure there are two (2) impound lots to service the greater Monrovia area. The Development Plan shall include a schedule for the graduated increase of impound lots such that by the Fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, there shall be at least one (1) impound lot in the capital cities of all 15 Counties.” Credible sources have told this paper that the ongoing protest against the concession agreement and LTMI is reportedly being sponsored by senior public officials. It is not known who exactly the public officials are.
