Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Liberian Senate Plenary has directed its leadership to petition President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for an extension of the implementation of the licensing deal agreed to the Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI) .
The Senate’s plenary is its highest decision-making body. In September 2018, LMTI, which is controlled by various Lebanese citizens, notably Dr. Imad Hajj, signed a 25-year licensing deal with the Government of Liberia (GoL) through the National Legislature.
However, many have demonstrated against the agreement between the government and LMTI. According to them, the contract signed is not in the best interests of the nation, particularly Ministry of Transportation. The deal, according to the demonstrators, is meant to deny the government the chance to make millions of dollars from the transportation industry.
Senators decided to encourage the government to stop enforcing the compromise deal until it has been adequately explained to the Liberian people and competing problems are finally resolved. On Thursday, July 24, 2025, at a normal session of the Liberian Senate, Senator Dabah Varpilah of Grand Cape Mount County voiced a concern that prompted their action.
Senator Varpilah noted that the ratification and implementation of the LMTI agreement jeopardizes the employment of over 200 Liberians carrying out their individual responsibilities at the Ministry of Transportation. “We have also come to the realization that there are certain disparities between the 2018 concession agreement and the one now in effect. Therefore, we have requested that the Senate look into and pinpoint these problems in relation to income and employment losses.”
According to her, the deal was not carried out under previous President George Manneh Weah’s administration because of a number of unwholesome problems that did not serve the interests of the Liberian people. She insisted that the country and its people are being harmed by the agreement’s implementation under the current administration.
Senator James Biney of Maryland County also spoke, expressing worry over the LMTI’s decision to launch a lawsuit against the former CDC-led government and then withdraw it. The Ministry of Transport and Modern Development Management Corporation (MDMC) signed a separate PPP Agreement in June 2020 to handle vehicle licensing and registration, which overlapped LTMI’s duties and led to legal disputes.
In response, the LTMI sued the government, claiming that the MDMC arrangement infringed upon its exclusive licensing rights. The company’s decision to drop the case, according to Biney, makes it very clear that the compromise deal with the government was marred by a number of issues.
Accordig to the senator, “troubles are arising from this deal. The nation has been silent since the Ministry of Transportation began carrying out its duties. It is not advisable to seek trouble where none exists. We cannot sit by and let this occur.” Biney stressed that the implementation of the LTMI contract will result in millions of dollars being lost by Liberia and its people.
He insisted that the Senate must advise President Boakai to prevent the agreement’s execution for the security and well-being of Liberia and its people. Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County submitted a motion asking the Senate to hold off on taking action until the controversial problems surrounding the agreement are resolved.
