By By: Alphanso G. Kalama
Monrovia, Liberia – A Unity Party-led government’s Stewart and Head if Liberia Water and Sewer Director has boldly claimed full ownership of the contentious Liberia Traffic Management Inc. (LTM) concession agreement, distancing itself from all past administrations while promising to fix any flaws in the deal.
In a candid declaration, the Unity Party’s Stewart, who also serves as the Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, emphasized that the Boakai administration will bear the heat for any public backlash over the LTM saga—and will likewise accept sole credit for any successes achieved.
“If it is a bad concession, we will fix it. We alone will take the public beating and bashing for this,” Stewart said, brushing off attempts to attribute the contract to the previous Weah administration. “We will not share blame or glory with any former government.” Mo Ali wrote on his official facebook page
This statement comes as tensions reach a boiling point on Capitol Hill and across Monrovia over the LTM contract. A Joint House Committee on Investment and Transport has slammed a “stay-order” on all LTM operations after the company failed to appear at a key legislative hearing into its conduct.
The committee is responding to a petition from Ministry of Transport employees and growing street-level unrest over alleged misconduct by LTM officers.
House Halts LTM, Reinstates Ministry Functions
On July 31, the House Joint Committee mandated the Ministry of Transport to immediately resume all statutory duties including vehicle registration, issuance of driver’s licenses, and enforcement of transport laws after LTM missed a critical appearance before lawmakers. The committee has summoned LTM and its legal team to appear Monday to face possible contempt charges. Until then, the Liberia National Police (LNP) has been ordered to assist the Ministry in restoring order to traffic regulation.
Protest on the Streets: Drivers Demand LTM Shutdown
Days earlier, Monrovia witnessed a massive protest by commercial drivers demanding the complete dissolution of LTM. Hundreds parked their vehicles in protest of what they described as systemic abuse, extortion, and double ticketing by LTM agents.
“We’re tired of being treated unfairly. We want proper regulation, not abuse,” said Musa Flomo, a protest leader. “We don’t want LTM, we want the Ministry of Transport!”
Their demands echo wider frustrations across the capital, as both lawmakers and citizens question the legitimacy and transparency of the LTM arrangement.
Analysts Point to CDC-Era Manipulations Behind the Chaos
Critics say the chaos stems from murky dealings during the Weah-led CDC administration. A 2021 letter from the Ministry of Justice reportedly admitted the Traffic Company had a valid concession, but political interference—allegedly led by then-CDC Treasurer John Youboty—sought to displace the firm in favor of internal CDC interests.
According to the revelations, after Youboty promised to generate more income if awarded the contract, President Weah signed a separate agreement with him, causing legal confusion and operational paralysis. To bolster public opinion against the original concessionaire, CDC loyalists allegedly launched a smear campaign, even suggesting that Weah’s signature had been forged yet no investigation was ever initiated.
When the company sued the Liberian government and threatened international arbitration, the Weah administration reportedly backtracked and committed to honoring the deal, leading the firm to withdraw the lawsuit. However, implementation was again delayed until the Unity Party assumed power in 2024.
Boakai Government Under Pressure: Fix the Mess or Fuel the Fire
Now caught in the crossfire, President Joseph Boakai’s administration faces a tough balancing act: honor a controversial but legally binding concession, or give in to mounting public pressure driven in part by aggrieved CDC operatives allegedly using genuine worker concerns to push a political agenda.
Analysts warn that sabotaging a foreign investor under political pressure could damage Liberia’s investment credibility.
“Liberia must build the LNP’s capacity to manage transport services—but the solution isn’t to lure foreign companies, then sabotage them with internal party schemes,” said one legal expert familiar with the case.
As Monday’s hearing approaches, all eyes are on the legislature, the Ministry of Transport, and the Unity Party government. With protests flaring and political ghosts resurfacing, the administration must navigate carefully or risk further backlash over a contract it now fully owns.
