By Precious D. Freeman
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has discredited the operation of an institution claiming to be service provider of vehicles registration named the Liberia Traffic Management (LTM).
Addressing a news conference recently in Monrovia, the Minister of Transport Samuel A. Wlue expressed utter dismay over billboards erected across Monrovia magnifying illustrations of the scam Liberia Traffic Management being involved in the issuance of Driving license, vehicles plates among others.
He said that MOT is the only institution in the country that is responsible to administer the affairs of transportation activities and issue plates for vehicles license, and all other basic modes of transport to enhance the delivery of safe, affordable, effective and efficient services of transport in the country.
“In order to provide clarity, the Ministry announces that in the midst of ensuring security, integrity and reliability in our services for the good of the government and people of Liberia, calling themselves “Liberia Traffic Management” has printed and erected billboards in and around Monrovia purporting or claiming to be the provider of services relating to the insurance of driver’s license, and vehicles plates with no prior knowledge of MOT or legal reliance by law” maintained.
According to Minister Wlue, how this group was structured to dispense the legal services of the Ministry is yet to comprehend and is totally an infringement to the legal statue that created the Ministry as the sole authority to deliver these services to the people of Liberia.
“This action by the “Liberia Traffic Management” is not only inimical to public policy and constitutionality but poses threats to the safe and procedural revenue collections of Liberia thereby undermining the socio-economic growth of our country,” he mentioned.
He added that MOT was created and established by an Act of National Legislature in 1987 to administer all modes of transportation and promulgate transport policy and regulations that would enhance the delivery of safe, affordable, effective and efficient transport services to the people of Liberia.
Transport Minister stated that since the legal establishment of the MOT, the services to issue driver’s license, vehicle registrations and eligibility certificate have been executed with diligence, sincerity, transparency and honesty to the ultimate extent that the Ministry has always exceeded its revenue targets and proudly emerged as the highest revenue targets and proudly emerged as the highest revenue generating sector Ministry; thereby contributing immensely to Government’s Revenue Consolidated Account.
Minister Wlue maintained that a well-coordinated, synchronized and automated system is put in place to ensure transparency and accountability in the inflow of revenue for the benefits of the state.
Meanwhile, he indicated that plan is underway to fully decentralize the Ministry’s services across the country with the support of National Budgets and partners aimed at making services accessible to the people as well as enabling government generate more revenues through the vehicle registration, driver’s license and eligibility certificates.
According to him, with the assistance of partners, training has been conducted for staff assigned to service centers located in Buchanan, Grand Bassa, Kakata, Margibi, Ganta, Nimba and Gbarnga, Bong Counties respectively and equipment will be procured to operationalize these areas including additional service centers for effective service delivery.
He further mentioned that the Ministry has identified other centers in Voijama, Lofa and Bo-Waterside, and that other sites include the Ministerial Complex and the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville.
“All these efforts are consummated to quality service delivery and maintain security and public safety in the issuance of driver’s license and vehicle license plates to the public,” he indicated.