Senate Probes LTMI Fraud …But Executive Silent

Senate President Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence confirmed that the Liberian Senate uncovered fraud in the controversial Liberia Transport Management Incorporated (LTMI) agreement yet the Executive Branch has failed to act, fueling widespread speculation that kickbacks tied to top government officials may be shielding those responsible.

Delivering her address upon return from a successful international mission to China, the Pro Tempore left no room for ambiguity:

“The Senate, after final deliberations, established that there was fraud in the LTMI agreement, and we communicated that to the Executive for investigation. We are awaiting the outcome of that investigation,” she declared on the Senate floor.

But according to multiple legislative sources, that investigation has stalled or never began amid rising allegations that senior government figures, including Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Gregory Coleman, and Minister of Justice, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, have a share from the LTMI arrangement and are using their influence to suppress accountability.

The LTMI agreement was initially signed to manage key components of Liberia’s transportation system from driver licensing to vehicle registration and traffic enforcement tools.

However, according to Senator Dabba Varpilah revealed that the deal was shrouded in non-transparency, inflated costs, and virtually no tangible benefit to the public.

The Senate’s final review concluded the contract was fraudulent and should be subjected to both legal scrutiny and cancellation. Yet months after notifying the Executive of these findings, there has been no public response, no investigation initiated, and no indication of accountability.

“It’s unacceptable that a matter this serious involving taxpayer money, public trust, and national credibility is being swept under the rug.”

At the heart of the scandal are growing allegations that kickbacks from the LTMI deal were funneled through the Liberia National Police, with approval or knowledge of Inspector General Gregory Coleman, and protected at the highest level of legal authority by Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh.

Multiple Senators are now calling for an independent investigation outside the purview of the Justice Ministry to prevent conflict of interest and interference.

The bombshell revelation about LTMI came as part of a broader, reform-focused legislative address. Among the Senate’s top priorities for this session:

The Senate has mandated its committee on Agriculture to launch a full-scale probe into the STAR-P and RETRAP loans acquired under the Agriculture Ministry in 2021 including $124.5 million for road projects that remain undone, and over $100 million allegedly disbursed to smallholder farmers with no accountability.

The Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) was unable to account for over $800,000 USD provided for legislative projects across counties. The Senate has now requested a full audit by the GAC.

Prompted by Senator Abraham Darius Dillon’s concerns, the Senate has ordered a detailed report on the issuance of foreign work permits and their impact on jobs for Liberians, to be delivered within a week.

Senator Emmanuel Nuquay’s revelations on unfair petroleum pricing have led to a comprehensive review of all LPRC agreements, with possible plans to unbundle the entity for better oversight.

The Senate’s Committee on Investment has been instructed to investigate AML’s operations in host counties following concerns of contractual breaches and unfair practices. All affected counties will participate in upcoming hearings.

As pressure mounts, political analysts and civil society groups are calling for immediate action, particularly on the LTMI scandal.

“This is a litmus test for the Executive. The Senate has done its job. Now, will President Boakai’s administration protect corruption or prosecute it?” asked one civil society leader of BudgetIT Liberia.

So far, there has been no official comment from the Justice Ministry or the LNP regarding their alleged roles in the LTMI deal a silence critic say is becoming increasingly deafening.

With rising public anger and legislative momentum, the Senate is expected to demand action on the LTMI findings in the coming weeks. Pro Tempore Karngar-Lawrence has made it clear: The Senate will not be silent in the face of corruption even when the Executive is.