Published: July 24, 2025
MONROVIA — The Liberian Senate on Thursday voted to suspend the implementation of a controversial traffic management concession with Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI), citing unresolved legal and economic concerns and calling for a full investigation into the agreement.
The decision came after a motion by Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, prompting the Senate leadership to formally communicate with the Executive Branch to stop the deal’s implementation. Lawmakers voiced concern over potential revenue losses, reduced public oversight, and the alleged transfer of key government responsibilities to a private company.
“The Ministry of Transport must be allowed to continue its functions while we launch a full-scale investigation into this deal,” Senator Dillon told his colleagues during a heated plenary session.
The 2018 agreement between the Government of Liberia and LTMI has attracted renewed scrutiny from lawmakers who argue it could weaken the statutory authority of the Transport Ministry and shortchange the state financially.
Grand Cape Mount Senator Daba Varpilah emphasized the need for accountability, warning that the deal could transfer essential regulatory powers to private entities. “There’s no need to fix what is not broken. If we move forward with this concession, we risk losing millions of dollars in revenue,” Varpilah said.
Maryland County Senator James Biney questioned why the agreement, reportedly signed under the previous administration, had not been implemented. He pointed to inconsistencies between two versions of the contract: one preserves the Ministry’s core functions, and the other grants LTMI extensive control.
“We must clarify which version was passed, if any,” Biney told the plenary.
Lofa County Senator Momo Cyrus criticized the 25-year concession period as too long and called on the Senate to insist that the Executive revoke the entire deal.
Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill added that the legal status of the agreement remains unclear. “The company claims it has legislative backing, but the former government at the time says that’s not the version that was passed,” McGill said. “It is important that this law be canceled.”
Thursday’s Senate action occurs amid rising public opposition to the LTMI concession, which critics argue could weaken transparency and remove the Transport Ministry’s vital regulatory powers.
The Ministry has been directed to carry on its usual operations while the Senate carries out its investigation.
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