…Jarwolo Slams Institutional Confusion
By Amos Harris
IPNEWS: Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director of NAYMOTE–Partners for Democratic Development, has issued a sharp rebuke of the Liberian government over what he describes as a dangerous and unacceptable governance failure the issuance of driver’s licenses by two separate state institutions.
Jarwolo criticized the parallel licensing activities of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Justice, acting through the Liberia Transport Management (LTM), warning that the arrangement exposes deep flaws in leadership, coordination, and institutional oversight.
He argued that no serious government should allow competing systems to operate simultaneously in an area as critical as national identification and transport regulation.
According to Jarwolo, the dual licensing system is more than an administrative error; it is a direct threat to the rule of law and national security.
He said the practice creates public confusion, weakens legal authority, and undermines confidence in state institutions.
“When citizens are unsure which license is legitimate, the authority of the state itself is called into question,” he cautioned.
Driver’s licenses, he noted, are not merely permits to operate vehicles but key government-issued identification documents relied upon by law enforcement agencies, banks, and immigration authorities.
The existence of two issuing bodies raises serious concerns about standardization, verification, data integrity, and the heightened risk of fraud or misuse.
Governance analysts echo these concerns, warning that poor coordination among public institutions creates vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit, often at the expense of law-abiding citizens.
In this case, they argue, institutional rivalry and overlapping mandates have produced a system that is both inefficient and potentially dangerous.
Jarwolo further pointed to a broader structural weakness within Liberia’s public sector, where overlapping responsibilities and poorly defined authority continue to hamper effective governance.
He argued that in the absence of decisive direction from the presidency, competition among agencies often replaces cooperation, eroding service delivery and accountability.
Calling for urgent intervention, Jarwolo urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to act decisively by clearly defining institutional authority, halting the dual licensing regime, and enforcing accountability.
He maintained that only firm action from the highest level of government can prevent the issue from escalating into a full-blown institutional crisis.
Since taking office, President Boakai has pledged to restore integrity, accountability, and professionalism across public institutions.
Analysts say the driver’s license controversy now stands as an early and telling test of that commitment.
Failure to resolve it promptly, they warn, could deepen public skepticism about the administration’s ability to enforce discipline and implement meaningful reforms.
Civil society organizations argue that the matter goes beyond routine administrative cleanup.
Establishing a single, transparent, and legally mandated licensing authority, they say, is fundamental to sound governance, public trust, and national security.
As public debate intensifies, many Liberians are watching closely to see whether the government will confront what critics describe as an unnecessary and risky institutional overlap.
For advocates like Jarwolo, the message is clear, effective governance cannot thrive in confusion and decisive leadership is required before disorder hardens into crisis.
