MONROVIA – Senator Momo Tannuekollie Cyrus of Lofa County, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs, has sounded a serious alarm over what he terms as “mounting national security concerns” tied to the outsourcing of core traffic enforcement functions to a private, foreign-controlled company known as Liberia Traffic Management, Inc. (LTMI).
In a formal communication addressed to Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Senator Cyrus is calling on the plenary of the Liberian Senate to summon both the Minister of Justice and the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police to clarify the legal framework and operational boundaries of this controversial agreement. He stressed that while efforts to modernize traffic systems are welcome, the current arrangement poses a potential threat to state sovereignty and national security.
According to Senator Cyrus, the delegation of traffic responsibilities, including vehicle registration, license plate issuance, traffic enforcement, and towing services, to a foreign-controlled private company could lead to a dangerous erosion of government oversight. He emphasized that such a move risks blurring the lines between state authority and private business interests, undermining public confidence in law enforcement and democratic governance.
One of the most pressing concerns raised in his letter was LTMI’s potential access to sensitive national data, including biometric and logistical information on all vehicle owners across the country. The senator warned that allowing an external entity to handle such confidential data without stringent oversight opens the door to data leaks, unauthorized surveillance, and even potential sabotage.
Senator Cyrus also pointed to chain of custody risks surrounding the issuance and authentication of official license plates, decals, and registration tags. He warned that without proper safeguards, this could lead to forgery, illegal duplication, or manipulation of official documentation, an issue that could have serious consequences for both national and regional security.
Equally troubling, he said, are the unresolved issues regarding revenue collection and fiscal transparency under the current arrangement. With fines, registration fees, and enforcement surcharges now being administered in part by LTMI, Cyrus questioned the legal basis of the revenue-sharing framework and called for clarity on who ultimately benefits from these transactions.
“This sets a dangerous precedent,” Senator Cyrus cautioned. “By outsourcing traffic enforcement, a function historically handled by the Liberia National Police, we risk normalizing the privatization of core state security responsibilities.”
The Lofa County lawmaker is urging the Senate to compel the Justice Minister and Police Inspector General to explain what legal instrument authorized the deal, how LTMI’s operations are being monitored, and whether any provisions have been made to ensure data protection and accountability. Additionally, he called for assurances that the Liberia National Police has not been stripped of its statutory authority in traffic matters.
“The Legislature has a duty to ensure that all public private partnerships, especially those touching the nerve center of our national security, are transparent, constitutional, and protective of Liberia’s sovereignty,” he concluded.
