Senators Clash Over LMTI Deal

By Lincoln G. Peters

Capitol Hill, June 11, 2026 – A hearing by the Liberian Senate Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, and Transport regarding the Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LMTI) agreement was marked by heated exchanges between senators.

Lawmakers debated the roles of the Unity Party (UP) and the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) governments in handling the controversial concession.

The hearing was delayed after the Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, and the Director General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) failed to appear without formally notifying the Senate.

Only the Minister of Transport, Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, and the Director General of the National Bureau of Concession (NBC), Hanson S. Kiazolu, attended the hearing.

Following presentations by the two officials, a heated debate erupted among several senators, including Darius Dillon, Momoh Cyrus, Thomas Yaya Nimely, Simeon Taylor, Darblah Varpliah, and Joseph Jallah.

Tensions rose when NBC Director General Kiazolu revealed that the LMTI agreement has not been finalized, as the Liberia Revenue Authority is still working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address revenue sharing and other outstanding issues.

Senator Dillon questioned why the NBC Director General had not fully reviewed the LMTI agreement, expressing disappointment over what he described as limited enforcement and compliance provisions.

Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely countered that the issue lies with the Executive branch, led by the President, for failing to implement an unfinalized contract. He argued that the current administration is not delivering on its promises.

Nimely recommended that the Minister of Justice and other absent officials be cited for contempt for obstructing the Senate’s functions.

Senators Cyrus, Taylor, and Jallah argued that the current government has failed by pursuing a concession not in the public interest. They questioned why the Unity Party, which campaigned as a ‘rescue’ government, is now supporting an agreement previously rejected by the CDC.

Grand Cape Mount County Senator Darblah Varpliah defended the administration, saying it deserves more time to address inherited challenges and correct past shortcomings.

NBC Director General Kiazolu also stated that no part of the LMTI agreement has officially reached the NBC, noting he has only reviewed a portion of the concession before it went to the Inter-Ministerial Concession Committee.

He emphasized that the main issue concerns the agreement’s revenue-sharing component, as required accounts have not yet been established.

Discussions are ongoing with LMTI regarding the creation of the necessary accounts and procedures for revenue allocation.

He added that the LRA is working to finalize the MoU for revenue-sharing accounts, which may be completed by Friday if all parties agree. Compliance reviews have been delayed pending the extended MoU.

Due to the absence of key officials, Committee Chairperson Senator Prince K. Moye instructed the Senate secretary to summon the LRA head, Finance Minister, Justice Minister, and LMTI management for another hearing at 10:00 a.m. He warned that if they fail to appear, the Sergeant-at-Arms will enforce their attendance.

He explained that immediate contempt charges were not issued because some stakeholders were not present and only the Minister had been notified of the hearing.