Says Some Officials “Continue To Ill-Advise The President And Prioritize Their Personal Interests”

PHOTO: J. Ebenezer Kolliegbo, former Deputy Minister of Transport

July 21, 2025

The Chairman

Senate Committee on Transport

The Chairman

Senate Committee on Security

The Chairman

House Committee on Transport

Republic of Liberia

Dear Honorable Lawmakers,

As recently reported in several Liberian newspapers, my public criticism regarding the outsourcing of driver’s license and vehicle registration services was not directed at the President. Rather, it was aimed at those officials who continue to ill-advise the President and prioritize their personal interests, as well as the interests of foreign business entities, over the welfare of the Liberian people.

I am a proud and loyal member of the Unity Party. I served in the Unity Party-led government under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during both terms, from 2009 to 2017, first as Deputy Minister for Administration & Insurance at the Ministry of Transport, and later at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. I have consistently supported the President, including during the 2017 and 2023 elections.

However, this matter transcends political lines and party loyalty.  It is a national issue with deep and far-reaching implications. Outsourcing such critical public functions to a foreign private entity raises serious concerns related to national security, loss of government revenue, and mass job displacement. More than 300 employees in the Motor Vehicle Department stand to lose their jobs, potentially triggering broader socio-economic disruption.

Furthermore, the terms of the reported 25-year concession are deeply troubling. Under this agreement, only 30% of the revenue would return to the Government of Liberia, while LTM, the foreign company involved, would take 70% despite making no significant capital investments in equipment or infrastructure. These are routine government services that do not warrant long-term privatization, particularly under such one-sided terms.

A more effective and sustainable alternative would be the creation of an autonomous, state-owned agency—the Motor Vehicle Authority (MVA)—governed by a Board of Directors. This agency, functioning under the Ministry of Transport, would oversee all driver licensing and vehicle registration functions nationwide, with 100% of revenue retained by the government for national development purposes.

To my knowledge, no country has outsourced its core motor vehicle regulatory functions in this manner. Allowing this deal to proceed sets a dangerous precedent for the potential outsourcing of other essential public services such as passport issuance and the national ID system. It also risks tarnishing the legacy of both the President and the Unity Party-led administration. Liberia must modernize and improve services without surrendering control of its core government functions to foreign private interests.

I respectfully urge the National Legislature and the Administration to investigate this concession thoroughly and to act in defense of our nation’s sovereignty, economic stability, and institutional integrity.

These concerns are raised not in opposition to the government, but as a committed supporter and Unity Party partisan who believes in good governance, transparency, accountability, and the protection of Liberia’s public institutions. We must always place country above party affiliation.

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

J. Ebenezer Kolliegbo, USA

Former Deputy Minister for Administration

Ministry of Transport / Ministry of Post and Telecommunications

Unity Party Partisan