Liberia stands at a constitutional and safety crossroads. The federal government’s choice to outsource visitors administration features to Liberia Site visitors Administration Integrated (LTMI)—a foreign-owned entity—undermines the 1986 Structure of Liberia, numerous ECOWAS protocols, and worldwide greatest practices.
By Dr. Clarence R. Pearson, Sr., PhD, contributing author
This reckless transfer should be halted instantly. We demand full disclosure of all overseas pursuits, an unbiased investigation into potential conflicts of curiosity, and the adoption of confirmed subregional fashions that prioritize sovereignty and safety.
Constitutional Sovereignty at Stake
To be clear, there isn’t any nation on the earth that has outsourced its whole visitors administration system to a foreign-linked or personal firm. This makes for a compelling argument for Article 2 of the 1986 Structure, “This Structure is the supreme and elementary legislation of Liberia” binding on all authorities. Furthermore, Article 3 affirms Liberia as a sovereign unitary state. Delegating core state features—car registration, licensing, enforcement—to LTMI immediately violates constitutional sovereignty by ceding management over delicate infrastructure. Knowledgeable consent of the ruled, a foundational constitutional tenet (Articles 1–2), has been bypassed.
Moreover, Article 20 ensures due course of rights, together with “safety of the individual, property…” which LTMI’s extrajudicial enforcement powers threaten. This association opens the door to arbitrary fines, information misuse, and violations of residents’ constitutional rights. I due to this fact name on President Boakai to difficulty an instantaneous moratorium on this deal in consideration of public outcry bordoring on nationwide safety considerations.
ECOWAS and Regional Authorized Frameworks
As a signatory of ECOWAS devices, Liberia is sure by the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which mandates transparency, accountability, and civilian oversight of safety establishments. The protocol reinforces that state safety methods—particularly these dealing with citizen information and enforcement—should be overseen by democratically elected our bodies. This personal concession lacks parliamentary scrutiny and transparency, violating ECOWAS norms and Liberia’s obligations beneath regional legislation.
Worldwide Legislation and Knowledge Safety Norms
Though Liberia presently lacks a standalone Knowledge Safety Act, its structure safeguards privateness rights. Worldwide requirements—such because the UN Guiding Rules on Enterprise and Human Rights—require corporations dealing with private information to respect privateness, guarantee transparency, and forestall misuse. LTMI’s operations, shrouded in secrecy, fail these requirements, growing the chance of information breaches, surveillance, and compromised nationwide safety.
Classes from the Area
West African friends provide profitable constitutional and security-respecting options:
Ghana’s DVLA stays a totally state-controlled system, securing biometric information and stopping overseas infiltration.
Nigeria’s FRSC makes use of native tech companies, guaranteeing information sovereignty and civilian oversight.
Sierra Leone’s Street Security Authority leverages public-private partnerships with home entities whereas retaining oversight of delicate methods.
These fashions align with ECOWAS’s expectations—modernized, environment friendly visitors methods developed beneath sovereign management and clear governance buildings.
Name for Pressing Motion
The next measures are crucial:
1. Rapid Halt to LTMI Concession pending constitutional and safety overview.
2. Full Disclosure of LTMI’s possession construction and any ties to Liberian officers, per constitutional necessities of transparency.
3. Unbiased Investigation into potential conflicts of curiosity, invoking public belief clauses (Artwork. 2) and due course of safeguards (Artwork. 20).
4. Open Legislative Oversight Listening to, in line with ECOWAS protocols, to revive belief in constitutional governance.
5. Undertake Regional Finest Practices, guaranteeing visitors modernization helps safety sovereignty and regional integration.
A Nationwide Name to Conscience
Consultant Musa H. Bility, Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, Mr. Simeon Freeman, Cllr. Tiawon S. Gongloe, former Affiliate Justice Cllr. Kabineh J’nah, and all civic leaders: rise in protection of our structure. It is a take a look at of Liberia’s dedication to rule of legislation, sovereignty, and accountability. I name on you all to problem the LTMI concession in a courtroom of legislation in protection of the individuals.
Uphold the Structure, Shield the Folks
In closing, let’s be clear: the 1986 Structure calls for that each one governmental energy derive from the individuals and serve the nation’s long-term curiosity (Artwork. 1–2). By outsourcing essential enforcement and delicate information to overseas arms, officers are risking our safety and sovereignty for short-term acquire. Liberia deserves higher. Let’s be taught from our neighbors and safeguard our future.
If we don’t take a stand now, we’ll lose not solely information and infrastructure however the very essence of constitutional democracy.
