Monrovia ( October 28,2024)-The Senate Transport Committee convened public hearings this week to examine the contentious Liberia Traffic Management (LTM) deal, originally signed by the previous administration in 2022.
The agreement aimed to outsource the country’s traffic management activities to LTM, a move that has sparked widespread sparring among stakeholders particularly Liberia National Police, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Transport has expressed opposition to the deal, arguing that it could displace approximately 200 Liberian workers currently employed in traffic management roles.
If the agreement is approved, LTM would assume control over critical responsibilities, including the issuance of driver’s licenses, vehicle plates, and registrations.
During the hearing, Senator Saah Joseph, Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, was forced to adjourn the session due to the absence of essential documents from the Ministers of Transport and Justice, as well as representatives from LTM. These documents are deemed vital for the committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the implications of the deal.
The hearings will be rescheduled for a later date, as the committee seeks to gather the necessary information to assess the potential impact of the LTM agreement on the country’s workforce and traffic management system.