Former Montserrado County District #5 Representative candidate Write…
“STATEMENT OF APPRECIATION AND PARTNERSHIP
FROM THE FEDERATION OF ROAD TRANSPORT UNION OF LIBERIA INC. [FRTUL]
Delivered by Alexander A. Suah, Sr., Advisor General
Paynesville City, Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia – may 27, 2026
To the Honourable Richard Nagbe Koon,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Members of the 55th Legislature,
Members of the Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia Inc.,
Members of the Press, and the General Public,
Good afternoon, and may I begin by extending warm greetings on behalf of the National Executive Board and the entire membership of the Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia Inc., commonly known as FRTUL.
Today marks a moment of appreciation, reflection, and renewed commitment. On this day, the Federation met with you, Honourable Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, at your office, and we are proud to publicly acknowledge and thank you for the presentation of 200 bags of cement toward the construction of our National Headquarters in Omega Community, Paynesville City, Montserrado County.
This presentation is part of the 400 bags of cement you pledged during the groundbreaking ceremony for our National Headquarters. The delivery of the first 200 bags demonstrates that your word is your bond, and that you are a leader who does not make promises lightly. In a political environment where public commitments are often made and forgotten, your action stands out as an example of integrity and follow-through.
1. Why This Matters to the Transport Sector
The Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia Inc. represents thousands of drivers, conductors, transport owners, and allied workers across Montserrado and beyond. For years, our members have operated without a permanent national headquarters that can serve as a hub for training, mediation, policy engagement, and member services.
It is important to clarify the structure of our organization. Our county branches, including the Montserrado County Branch, already have their own county headquarters in their respective counties. These branches play a vital role in organizing drivers, resolving local disputes, and coordinating transport operations at the county level.
However, the national leadership of the Federation does not yet have its own home. Currently, the National Executive Board and national secretariat are being housed by the Montserrado County Branch within its building in Omega Community. While we are deeply grateful to the Montserrado Branch for this generosity, it is not sustainable for the national leadership to operate indefinitely from a county facility.
The construction of a dedicated National Headquarters is therefore about institutional separation, efficiency, and national representation. It will give the Federation a central space to coordinate activities across all 15 counties, host national congresses, engage with government and partners, and provide services that go beyond what any single county branch can offer.
Your contribution of 200 bags of cement directly advances this goal. It reduces the financial burden on our members, many of whom are daily wage earners, and it accelerates the timeline for completing a facility that will serve generations to come.
For this, the Federation says thank you. We say thank you not only for the material support, but for the respect and recognition you have shown to the transport community. Too often, drivers and transport workers are seen only when there is a strike or a traffic problem. You have shown that you see us as partners in national development.
2. Leadership by Example
Honourable Speaker, your action today is what we call “leadership by example.”
Leadership is not only about passing laws or presiding over debates in the plenary. Leadership is also about standing with the people you represent, understanding their challenges, and providing tangible support when it is needed most.
The transport sector is the backbone of commerce in Liberia. Without drivers and transport workers, markets cannot function, hospitals cannot receive supplies, and students cannot reach schools. Yet this sector has long been underserved in terms of infrastructure, training, and social protection.
By supporting the construction of our National Headquarters, you are investing in the institutional capacity of the sector. You are saying that transport workers deserve a seat at the table. You are saying that their welfare matters. That is the kind of leadership that builds trust between government and the people.
The Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia Inc. believes that Liberia will only move forward when leaders at all levels choose to act, not just speak. Your delivery of these 200 bags of cement is action. It is a signal to other public officials that supporting civic and professional organizations is a legitimate and necessary part of public service.
3. Our Commitment to Partnership
In return for your support, the Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia Inc. makes a clear commitment: we will work closely with your office and with the Government of Liberia to advance shared goals.
First, we commit to promoting discipline, safety, and professionalism among our members. A strong transport sector requires not only good roads, but also responsible drivers who respect traffic laws and the rights of passengers and pedestrians. The FRTUL will intensify its internal training and disciplinary mechanisms to ensure that our members uphold the highest standards.
Second, we commit to engaging constructively with the Legislature and the Executive on transport policy. We understand that good policy requires input from those who work on the ground every day. The FRTUL will make itself available to provide practical recommendations on issues such as road safety, vehicle inspection, fare regulation, and the formalization of the transport sector.
Third, we commit to supporting the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. Roads, agriculture, rule of law, education, sanitation, and tourism are all connected to transportation. Without an efficient transport system, the ARREST Agenda cannot succeed. The FRTUL sees itself as a stakeholder in that agenda and will contribute where it can.
We believe that partnership between government and professional unions is the best way to solve problems. Confrontation may get attention, but collaboration gets results. That is the approach the Federation intends to take.
4. Strengthening the Branch and National Structure
The FRTUL operates through a decentralized structure. Each county has a branch with its own leadership and headquarters to manage local affairs. The Montserrado County Branch, for example, has been instrumental in hosting and supporting national activities in the absence of a national headquarters.
Once completed, the National Headquarters will serve as the administrative center for the Federation, while the Montserrado County Branch and all other county branches will continue to operate from their respective county headquarters. This structure will strengthen accountability, improve communication, and enhance our ability to serve members nationwide.
We therefore call on all county branches and members to see the National Headquarters project not as a Montserrado project, but as a national project that belongs to every driver and transport worker in Liberia.
5. A Call to Other Leaders and Stakeholders
The example set by Honourable Richard Nagbe Koon should not stand alone. We call on other members of the Legislature, county officials, private sector actors, and development partners to support institutions like the FRTUL that are working to organize and professionalize the informal sector.
When unions and associations have proper facilities and institutional capacity, they become better partners for government. They can help with data collection, compliance monitoring, public education, and conflict resolution. Investing in these institutions is investing in governance itself.
6. Gratitude to the National Executive Board and Membership
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the leadership of our President General, Mr. Augustus M. Kamara, and the entire National Executive Board for their tireless work in coordinating this project and engaging with stakeholders. Their commitment has kept the vision of a National Headquarters alive even when resources were scarce.
To the general membership of the FRTUL, I say this: your dues, your participation, and your patience are what make this possible. The headquarters we are building belongs to you. It will be a place where your concerns are addressed, your rights are defended, and your profession is elevated.
Let us continue to support this project with unity and purpose. Let us ensure that when the building is completed, it stands as a symbol of what organized workers can achieve when they work together and when they find allies in government.
7. Final Remarks
Honourable Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, on behalf of the Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia Inc., I reiterate our profound gratitude for the 200 bags of cement presented today. We look forward to receiving the remaining 200 bags as pledged, and we stand ready to work with you to ensure that the project is completed to standard and on time.
More importantly, we look forward to a lasting partnership between the FRTUL and the House of Representatives. A partnership that is based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a common goal of improving the lives of Liberians.
The Federation believes that Liberia’s progress depends on inclusive development, where no sector and no worker is left behind. Transport workers are ready to play their part. All we ask is for continued engagement, fair policy, and the kind of support you have shown today.
May God bless the Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia Inc.
May God bless the office of the Speaker and the National Legislature
May God bless the Republic of Liberia.
Signed,
Alexander A. Suah, Sr.
Advisor General
Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia Inc. [FRTUL].”
