MONROVIA – Liberia’s Civil Service Agency has moved to calm concerns among public employees following sweeping reforms to the country’s traffic management system. The changes, tied to the concession arrangement with Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI), have raised questions about the fate of civil servants previously engaged in operational roles within the Ministry of Transport. However, CSA Director-General Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. says the government has developed a structured workforce transition plan designed to retain verified employees while repositioning the ministry toward regulatory oversight. The reform reflects a broader effort to modernize traffic administration while preserving public sector employment and institutional capacity. THE ANALYST’s George C. Flomo reports.
The Director-General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., has assured civil servants affected by the ongoing traffic management reform at the Ministry of Transport that no verified employee will lose their job as a result of the transition to the new operational framework with Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI).
Speaking Thursday at the regular press briefing hosted by the Ministry of Information in Monrovia, Dr. Joekai outlined the government’s Workforce Retention, Reclassification, and Redeployment Framework, explaining that the reform is part of a broader national effort to modernize Liberia’s traffic management system while safeguarding the welfare of civil servants.
According to the CSA Director-General, the agency has been working closely with the Ministry of Transport to ensure that administrative and human resource adjustments stemming from the LTMI concession arrangement are carried out in full compliance with the laws and regulations governing Liberia’s civil service.
He emphasized that the transition aims not only to modernize traffic operations but also to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve service delivery while protecting employees who have historically supported traffic management operations across the country.
Personnel Verification Exercise
Dr. Joekai disclosed that the CSA conducted a comprehensive Personnel and Credential Verification Exercise within the Department of Land and Rail Transport at the Ministry of Transport to guide the transition process.
The verification exercise was designed to standardize personnel records, assess workforce composition, determine alignment between employees’ qualifications and job placements, and provide policy guidance on workforce retention, reclassification, and redeployment under the new traffic management framework.
Prior to the reform, the Department of Land and Rail Transport operated through four operational divisions responsible for nationwide traffic management activities: the Inspectorate Division, Motor Vehicle Division, Driver’s License Division, and the Tricycle and Motorcycle Division.
These divisions handled key services including vehicle registration, driver licensing administration, traffic enforcement coordination, and the regulation of motorcycles and tricycles.
Under the reform initiative, these operational responsibilities are now being transitioned to Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated as part of the government’s broader traffic management concession framework.
Workforce Verification Results
The CSA verification exercise established that the Department of Land and Rail Transport currently has a workforce of 191 employees.
Of that number, 176 employees—representing 92 percent—were successfully verified and validated, while 15 employees, or 8 percent, remain pending further verification and documentation review.
Dr. Joekai said the high verification rate confirms a stable workforce structure and provides a credible foundation for workforce planning within the new traffic management system.
He stressed that all 176 verified civil servants will remain employed by the Government of Liberia.
“No verified civil servant will lose employment as a result of this reform,” he stated.
Workforce Distribution
The CSA also conducted an analysis of workforce distribution across the department’s divisions.
According to the findings:
- The Inspectorate Division accounts for the largest share with 99 employees, representing 52 percent of the workforce.
- The Motor Vehicle Division follows with 55 employees, or 29 percent.
- The Driver’s License Division has 20 employees, representing 10 percent.
- The Tricycle and Motorcycle Division has four employees, accounting for 2 percent.
- The administrative unit has 13 employees, representing 7 percent of the total workforce.
Qualifications and Placement
Further analysis of employee qualifications revealed that 155 workers, representing 81 percent, are appropriately placed in their current positions.
However, the assessment identified 19 employees who are overqualified for their roles, 14 employees who are underqualified, and three employees whose positions do not match their qualifications.
Dr. Joekai explained that these findings will guide the government’s reclassification process and targeted professional development programs aimed at strengthening workforce capacity.
Educational Profile of Workforce
The educational composition of the workforce reflects a mixture of academic qualifications and practical experience.
According to the CSA report:
- Two employees hold master’s degrees
- Thirty-nine possess bachelor’s degrees
- Seventy-two staff members are currently enrolled as university students
- Four employees hold associate degrees
- Sixty-eight possess high school diplomas
- Two employees have no formal credentials
Age Profile of Workforce
The CSA further revealed that the department maintains a relatively young and sustainable workforce.
Of the 176 verified employees:
- 142 are below the age of 55, representing 81 percent of the workforce
- 20 employees fall within the 55–59 age bracket
- 14 employees are aged 60 and above
Dr. Joekai said the data demonstrates that the department retains a strong pool of human capital capable of supporting traffic regulatory functions in the years ahead.
Structural Reforms in Ministry of Transport
As part of the reform initiative, three operational divisions—the Motor Vehicle Division, Driver’s License Division, and the Tricycle and Motorcycle Division—have been dissolved.
Their service delivery mandates, including vehicle registration and driver licensing, are now being transferred to Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated.
In their place, the Ministry of Transport has established three new regulatory divisions:
- Division of Motor Vehicle Policy and Regulation
- Division of Axle Load Management
- Division of Traffic Monitoring and Enforcement
Dr. Joekai explained that these units reposition the Ministry from direct service delivery toward policy development, regulatory oversight, infrastructure protection, and enforcement coordination.
Workforce Transition Plan
Under the government’s workforce transition framework, all 176 verified civil servants will be retained and redeployedwithin the new regulatory divisions and other oversight roles within the Ministry of Transport.
At the same time, up to 30 qualified employees may voluntarily transition to Liberia Traffic Management Incorporatedif they choose to do so.
The CSA Director-General clarified that the transition option is entirely voluntary and that employees interested in joining LTMI must formally express their interest through an established administrative process.
Workers have until March 12, 2026 to make their decision.
He further explained that employees who choose to move to LTMI will cease to be civil servants and will instead become private sector employees governed by the Decent Work Act of Liberia.
Employees who choose not to transition will remain government employees and will be reassigned to appropriate roles within the Ministry’s regulatory structure.
Strengthening Oversight
Dr. Joekai also outlined additional government actions aimed at strengthening oversight within Liberia’s traffic management system.
These measures include:
- Establishing stronger monitoring mechanisms within the Ministry of Transport
- Enhancing compliance oversight of LTMI operations
- Implementing continuous professional development programs for civil servants
- Strengthening reporting and accountability frameworks within the sector
According to him, these initiatives are designed to ensure that modernization efforts strengthen—rather than weaken—government authority within the traffic management sector.
Call for Professional Conduct
The CSA Director-General also reminded civil servants to maintain professional discipline during the transition period.
He urged government employees to adhere strictly to the Standing Orders for the Civil Service, the Civil Service Human Resource Policy Framework, and other applicable institutional policies.
Dr. Joekai concluded that the transition to the LTMI framework represents a major modernization initiative aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening revenue administration, and introducing modern traffic management systems across Liberia.
He reiterated that the reform has been carefully structured to protect workers, preserve institutional knowledge, and maintain strong government regulatory authority.
“This balanced approach ensures that modernization proceeds in a manner that protects workers, strengthens institutions, and advances the national interest,” he stated.
The Civil Service Agency also expressed appreciation to stakeholders and civil servants for their cooperation as the reform process continues.