“We call for an end to persistent harassment and unfair ticketing by traffic police. We oppose the outsourcing of licensing and vehicle registration to the LTMI. We call for the reversal of excessive towing and impoundment fees.”
These are the rallying demands of the Collaborating Transport Unions of Liberia, a coalition of commercial driver unions and transport workers, who have announced plans to embark on a peaceful national protest over what they describe as growing injustices in the transport sector.
In an official statement issued on July 27, 2025, the unions declared their intention to protest what they call “systemic abuse, economic disenfranchisement, and administrative overreach” affecting thousands of commercial drivers across the country.
According to the union leadership, the decision to mobilize comes after months of failed dialogue with government stakeholders, including ministries and regulatory agencies.
The protest, they say, is not born of hostility but of desperation to defend the rights and dignity of drivers who keep Liberia’s transportation network running.
The unions outlined three central grievances driving their action:
- Harassment and Unfair Ticketing by Traffic Police
Commercial drivers say they are routinely subjected to intimidation, arbitrary ticketing, and excessive citations by traffic police.
Drivers report receiving multiple fines in a single day, often without justification, amounts that can surpass their entire daily earnings.
“Instead of ensuring safety and fairness on the roads, many officers use their positions to exploit drivers,” the union said in its statement.
- Opposition to the LTMI Concession
They argue that the concession was awarded without proper consultation, threatens the jobs of Liberians in the sector, and risks skyrocketing service costs due to foreign-determined pricing.
“This move disempowers local institutions like the Ministry of Transport and undermines national sovereignty,” said one union representative. - Excessive Towing and Impoundment Fees
Under LTMI’s oversight, drivers say they are facing unreasonably high impoundment and towing fees. If a vehicle is not retrieved within five days, fines can double or triple, placing already struggling drivers in deeper financial hardship.
The unions stress that this is happening despite the Liberian Senate’s recent recommendation to suspend LTMI’s operations pending further dialogue. Yet, enforcement by LTMI personnel, often backed by traffic police, reportedly continues unabated.
A Call for Justice and Reform
In their statement, the unions emphasized that they are not opposed to modernization or reform, but insist that such efforts must be inclusive, transparent, and humane.
“We are not enemies of progress. But decisions that exclude Liberians, inflate costs, and jeopardize livelihoods must be re-evaluated,” the unions stated.
They also referenced President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda-which champions Accessibility, Reform, Social Equity, Empowerment, Sustainability, and Transparency, urging that these values be reflected in practice, not just policy.
The unions are demanding:
Immediate cancellation of LTMI’s operations
Return of licensing and vehicle documentation functions to the Ministry of Transport
Review and regulation of towing and impoundment fees
Respectful treatment of drivers by traffic officers
Protest Plans and Next Steps
Union leaders confirmed that all protest participants have been instructed to remain peaceful and non-confrontational, even as they push for urgent redress.
“We are available for dialogue, but until our voices are heard and justice is restored, the trucks will remain parked, and the protest will continue.”
As the protest date looms, attention now turns to the government’s response.
Will it heed the call of transport workers who say they are being pushed to the edge, or will Liberia face a transport paralysis driven by policy missteps and public outcry?
