The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice says it has officially begun implementing the 2018 Concession Agreement with Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI), shifting all vehicle registration and driver licensing responsibilities to the private firm
In a statement issued the Ministry of Justice announced the full activation of LTMI’s mandate following a Supreme Court ruling on May 28, 2025, that cleared legal barriers that had temporarily stalled the agreement’s execution.
Under the deal, LTMI will now finance, build, operate, and eventually transfer a nationwide traffic management system. The scope includes driver testing and certification, license issuance, vehicle registration, inspection, ticketing, towing, city parking, and the establishment of motor vehicle offices across Liberia.
Beginning July 16, all new applications and renewals for driver licenses and vehicle registrations must be processed through LTMI’s main facility in Congo Town or designated sub-offices to be announced.
However, the Ministry clarified that individuals who paid fees or initiated processing with the Ministry of Transport prior to the transition date may still collect their documents from those offices, as long as the transaction dates are before July 16.
The Liberia National Police and Ministry of Transport will continue to honor valid licenses and registrations issued before the transition, but emphasized that only LTMI-issued credentials will be accepted going forward.
Officials said the move is part of the government’s commitment to modernizing traffic operations and improving road safety.
“We are confident this transition will result in improved efficiency, enhanced service delivery, and a more robust traffic management system,” the Ministry said.
This week, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated its leadership to request President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to halt the execution of the concession agreement signed between the Government of Liberia (GOL) and the Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI).
Plenary is the highest decision making body of the Senate.
In September 2018, the Government of Liberia (GoL), through the National Legislature, signed a 25‑year concession agreement with LMTI owned by some Lebanese nationals, including Dr. Imad Hajj.
But for nearly a week now, citizens, especially employees of the Ministry of Transport have been protesting and claiming that the concession signed is not in the interest of the country. The protesters claimed that the agreement is intended to deprive government the opportunity to generate millions of dollars from the transport sector.
Senators took the decision to advise the executive to halt the enforcement of the concession agreement until it is properly made cleared to the Liberian people with the addressing of contending issues.
Their action stemmed from a concern raised by Grand Cape Mount County Senator Dabah Varpilah during regular sitting held in the Chamber of the Liberian Senate on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Senator Varpilah observed that the jobs of more than 200 Liberians performing their respective duties at the Ministry of Transport are at risk due to the ratification and enforcement of the LMTI concession
“We have also realized that the concession agreement of 2018 and the current one that is being implemented have some differences. So we’ve asked the Senate to investigate and identify these issues as it relates to job and revenue losses.”
She claimed that the agreement was not implemented during the administration of former President George Manneh Weah due to numerous unhealthy issues that are not in the interest of the Liberian people.
She maintained that the implementation of the agreement under the current administration goes against the country and its citizens.
Also speaking, Maryland County Senator James Biney raised concern over the decision taken by the LMTI to take to court and subsequent withdraw a case filed against the former CDC led-Government.
In June 2020, the Ministry of Transport signed a separate PPP Agreement with Modern Development Management Corporation (MDMC) to manage vehicle registration and licensing—overlapping LTMI’s responsibilities and triggering legal contention.
The LTMI reacting by filing a lawsuit against the government, arguing that the MDMC agreement violated its exclusive concession rights.
The case was later withdrawn against the government.
Biney noted that the action by the company to withdraw the case clearly indicates that the concession agreement signed with the government was marred by numerous “problems.”
“This concession is causing problems. From time in memorial the Ministry of Transport has been performing its responsibilities and the country has been quiet. Where there is no trouble, we should not look for trouble there. We can’t sit and allow this to happen.”
Biney emphasized that Liberia and its citizens would lose millions of dollars if the LTMI concession is implemented.
He maintained that for the safety and benefit of Liberia and its citizens, the Senate must advise President Boakai to halt the implementation of the agreement.
“We cannot sell this country in this manner. Let’s prevail on the Executive Mansion and cancel this contract,” Senate Chair on National Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs Momo Cyrus stated.
Meanwhile, a motion for the Senate to take the action until the contentious issues surrounding the agreement are addressed was filed by Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon.
