LTM Issues “Plank-Made License Plates”

Liberia Traffic Management (LTM) has been embroiled with the issuance of plank-made license plates to the extent that some trees are involuntarily cut down across the country.

Vehicle owners have brought the situation to the attention of lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Monrovia. By that “unscrupulous business practice,” Plenary of the House of Representatives of the 55^th Legislature, has summoned the LTM authorities to appear before the august body on Thursday, June 10.  The trend follows growing concerns over the quality of license plates LTM had issued to motorists since it inception.

The decision was reached during the House’s 8^th day sitting, held Thursday, June 4.

It was triggered by three separate communications from Maryland County Electoral District #3 Representative, Austin B. Taylor, Bomi County Electoral District #1 Representative, Obediah Varney, and Gbarpolu County Electoral District #2 Representative, Luther Collins.

In their communications, the lawmakers called for a plenary investigation, and possible cancellation of the LTM license plate concession contract.

The trios cited a “substandard service delivery, and poor-quality plank-made license plates issued to vehicle owners nationwide.” Rep. Taylor, in his communication, raised concerns under Article 34 of the constitution. He said, the issue poses both public service and national security implications. Taylor noted that reports from constituents indicate that the license plates LTM issued “fade quickly, peel, and lacked the durability required for proper vehicle identification and law enforcement purposes.” The concession agreement awarded to LTM was intended to improve the efficiency and quality of license plate production and issuance.

However, Taylor argued that the company appears to lack the technical capacity and operational systems required to meet the terms of the agreement.

Taylor warned that the continued issuance of “substandard plates undermines road safety, vehicle registration integrity and law enforcement effectiveness.”

The lawmaker, therefore, recommended that Plenary:

institute due diligence through the relevant standing committee(s) to investigate the LTM concession agreement; procurement process, and operational capacity; review the quality and compliance of license plates being issued against contractual technical standards and international best practices; consider the cancellation of the license plate component of the LTM concession, and restore the function to the Ministry of Transport, which previously handled the service. Rep. Taylor said such action is necessary to safeguard public funds, restore confidence in the vehicle registration system, and ensure citizens receive durable and secure plates.

The House is expected to engage LTM officials during tomorrow, Thursday’s appearance as part of ongoing legislative oversight and investigation into the matter.