LIBERIA: AMBASSADOR RECEIVES DRIVER'S LICENSE DURING

UNCLAS MONROVIA 000098 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: ELTN ECON EAIR EWWT EFIN LI SUBJECT: LIBERIA: AMBASSADOR RECEIVES DRIVER'S LICENSE DURING COURTESY CALL ON MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION REF: 07 MONROVIA 345 ¶1. (SBU) During a courtesy call by the Ambassador, Minister of Transportation Jackson Doe clarified that in addition to land, sea and air transport, MOT has jurisdiction over the National Port Authority, meteorology and hydrology functions, and over all insurance firms. The GOL is working on plans to promulgate a National Transportation Policy, and Doe expects MOT's functions to change during a proposed restructuring of Cabinet agencies, with the Ministry focusing on policy and regulation of independent bodies such as the LCAA, RIA, and the insurance sector. ¶2. (SBU) MOT is undertaking commercial audits of all 22 insurance companies, and plans to make the meteorology and hydrology function of the ministry autonomous. MOT has 219 employees (many, from our observations during the visit, apparently underemployed),with 100 of them located at the Spriggs-Payne domestic aviation agency. The Ministry pays $75,000 a year in rent for its decrepit down-town building, but is looking into plans to move to an alternative GOL-owned location. The Main Focus is Land Transportation -------------- ¶3. (SBBU) The GOL has submitted legislation that would transform the Monrovia Transit Authority (MTA) into the National Transportation Authority (NTA). MTA has worked valiantly to increase the number of public busses plying Monrovia's streets. As the NTA, it would be able to expand the public transport network nationwide, including cross-border charter busses, and be better integrated into national transportation planning. Doe said MOT is challenged by the Ministry of Public Works' continued jurisdiction over roads, but that should change in the cabinet restructuring as well. ¶4. (SBU) After describing the success of the new driver's license technology, he demonstrated its speed by commissioning a license for the Ambassador. In addition to reform of the driver's license process, the Ministry has been strengthening enforcement of traffic regulations and is on the brink of introducing new license plates. Towards the end of the meeting, Deputy Minister Mohamed Sheriff requested USG assistance in staunching the flow of stolen cars to Liberia. (Note: The Embassy has been assisting the Ministry of Finance (Customs) in identifying stolen vehicles that are being imported from the United States, and will continue to do so. End note.) MOT Quiescent on Sea and Air -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Doe explained that the MOT has jurisdiction over the National Port Authority (but he has kept an extremely low profile in that regard). Despite Post's extensive involvement in both the commercial and security aspects of the National Port Authority, we were unaware of MOT's role in NPA oversight. ¶6. (SBU) The Ministry of Transportation has taken a back-seat in aviation issues as well, with the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) and the Roberts International Airport (RIA) playing a dominant role. Doe touched on the fact that the GOL wants to restore and expand operations at RIA, is in negotiations with Lockheed-Martin, and is looking forward to the arrival of Delta Airlines in June (reftel). We can help with the stolen cars... -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Ambassador, responding to Minister Doe's update and request for assistance with cars, computers, office equipment and training, said she took note of MOT's challenges and their list of requirements. She reviewed USG contributions to the airport, the port and the coast guard, and praised resumption of bus service in Monrovia. She confirmed the Embassy's willingness to help the GOL stem the shipment of stolen cars to Liberia, noting we are working with the Ministry of Finance (Customs) on that problem. Comment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Ministry of Transport has not been a dynamic ministry and Jackson Doe's presence in Cabinet is due more to his stature as leader of the Krahn tribe and elder brother of former president Samuel Doe than to his passion for reform. The driver's license technology is impressive, and is part of the government-wide move to improve accountability. THOMAS-GREENFIELD