MONROVIA: The Director of Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry of Transport, Lemuel O. Kleeme, has expressed regret that while the Liberian government has a contractor agreement with the Liberian-owned Company, Modern Development Corporation ( MDMC), a Lebanese owned Company, the Liberia Traffic Management (LTM), with the assistance and support of some individuals in the corridors of state power have been professing to be a company hired for the production of license plates, driver’s license and road safety documents in the country.
He said, the 100% Liberian owned company, Modern Development Corporation (MDMC), was legally hired by the Government of Liberia in June 2020 to produce license plates and to carry out other transport related activities.
He disclosed that the Modern Development Corporation (MDMC) has also brought into the country six (6) tow trucks for vehicles, ‘kekehs’ and motorbikes which are currently be used by the Liberia National Police (LNP).
He disclosed that the MDMC is working with the Government of Liberia through the Road Safety Secretariat launched some time ago by President George M. Weah.
The Road Safety Secretariat comprises the Ministries of Public Works, Transport, Health, Education, Justice and the Liberia National Police (LNP).
Kleeme narrated that under the Road Safety Secretariat, the Liberia National Police (LNP) has implemented several road safety related programs with support from the World Bank (WB) and the African Development Bank (ADB).
He disclosed that the MDMC even defeated the Liberian government in a proceeding lawsuit in March 2021 at the Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court of Montserrado County, thereby authorizing the MDMC to produce the license plates and other transport related activities in the country.
Kleeme: “What is of more security concern is the production of the same brand designed by the Liberia Traffic Management (LTM), without legitimacy and the fear is: “Who authorized LTM to print plates, and how the company is circulating such plates?”
Kleeme: “We saw it being displaced in the various photographs on social media recently and who is benefiting from the fees being collected?”
He called on national security to conduct an investigation into this matter because, considering that vehicle license plates are security related instruments that deal with coding and security features to assist police investigate the commission of traffic crimes which include hit-and-run Traffic situations, acts of armed robbery, among others.
He noted that, the Ministry of Transport is a legitimate functionary of government and research has shown that, the MOT has been affected over the years consistent with Act that created the Ministry.
“For example, The Ministry should have had a Deputy Minister for Aviation, Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs, and Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs, but all of these functions were extracted, limiting the leadership structure to a Minister, Deputy Minister for Administration and Insurance, Assistant Minister for Land and Rail Transport who are supported by line Directors at the Ministry,” he said.
The Liberian Government, through the Ministry of Transport, says the Liberian-owned company, Modern Development Corporation (MDMC), was legally hired by it in June 2020, through a Competitive Bidding process, organized by the Ministry of Transport for the production of license plates.
Addressing a press conference at his Transport Ministry Office on Thursday, January 18, 2024, the MOT PR Director disclosed that since the MDMC was hired, it is living up to the public private agreement and committed to its obligations under said agreement.
According to him, as a result of this system, increased revenue generation from the ministry has been immensely contributing to the government’s Revenues Consolidated Account from-time-to time.
Touching on the January 8, 2024, fire incident, he said the ministry experienced a mysterious fire incident which resulted into the massive burning of office printer, desktop computer and chairs among other things, and not to the extend or degree to disable the ministry from accessing their system to process the registration of motor vehicle driver licenses and other related transport services.
He said, their system is quite safe, the vaults for the storage of vehicle numbers and plates are intact.
He, however, alarmed that printers and punching machine which got destroyed as a result of the fire incident have been replaced immediately and temporarily office space has been identified and equipped for the tasks to ensure the resumption of immediate services delivery at the ministry, while major renovation works and rebranding of the entire motor section would bring it to international standards.
He noted that after the fire incident, the ministry has been generating revenues through the provision of services at its service center at the inter-ministerial complex in Congo Town, Monrovia, as well as at the Kakata service center in Margibi County.
“We also want to make it clear to the public that the ministry has been cooperative with the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) since the incident and has submitted copies of separate statements from the MDMC and the security guards in the employ of the ministry to aid them in their investigation as to the cause of the fire,” he said.
He stressed that, it is their ardent hope and anticipation that the Liberia National Fire Service will do everything in its power to establish the cause of the fire to enable the ministry take the necessary precautionary steps and measures to avoid recurrence of the situation.
However, this paper has gathered that Liberia’s President-elect, Joseph Nyuma Boakai (JNB), has toured the facilities of the purported Lebanese-owned company, styled: Liberia’s Traffic Management (LTM).
During President-elect, Boakai’s visit, he reportedly unveiled his vision for the company, which the GOL, through the MOT said, is a fake company.
The LTM disclosed to President-elect Boakai that it is awaiting Legal Resolution of the matter involving it and MOT to activate a state-of-the-Art Center.
President-Elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.’s recent visit to the Liberia Traffic Management facilities in Paynesville unveiled the potential for creating a comprehensive One-Stop shop.
This visionary setup aims to streamline the processing of diverse instruments, encompassing drivers’ licenses, license plates, roadworthiness inspections, and insurance policies.
President Boakai, buoyed by the anticipated benefits, expressed optimism that overcoming legal obstacles linked to the investment would enable the public to enjoy the just revenues from this initiative.
The fully equipped Traffic Enforcement Center eagerly awaits resolution on legal matters to initiate operations and start serving the community.
Emphasizing the paramount importance of roads and road safety, the Boakai administration, guided by the ARREST manifesto, views these issues as foundational.
During the tour of LTM facilities, on Monday, President-elect Boakai, accompanied by a delegation including former Inspector General of Police, Gregory Coleman, acknowledged the facilities’ comprehensive nature.
It holds the potential to function as a centralized hub for processing various documents related to driving and vehicles ownership.
In January 2019, through a collaboration between the Liberia National Police (LNP), and the Liberia Traffic Management which was established, backed by a substantial investment of US$50 million, unfortunately remains inactive.
Despite being a state-of-the-art center designed for vehicles and driver inspection and registration, equipped with a fleet of SUVs and motorbikes for enhanced road safety inspections, an extensive legal dispute over the contractual agreement has hindered its operational status.
This impasse prevents the facilities from fulfilling its intended purposes. Consequently, resolving these legal challenges emerges as a crucial step to unlock the full potential of this significant investment, ensuring its benefits reach the public.
