A major boost is on the horizon for Liberia’s struggling public transportation sector as the National Transit Authority (NTA) seals a groundbreaking deal with ABK Incorporated to expand and modernize its fleet.

The agreement, described by insiders as a “game-changer,” will see the procurement of 35 fifty-two-seater buses, 20 eighteen-seater buses, and five cargo trucks aimed at reducing the daily commuting challenges faced by thousands of Liberians.

NTA Managing Director Edmund Forth, in an exclusive interview with The New Dawn, disclosed that the contract has already been signed and endorsed by both the Ministries of Finance and Justice. An initial payment of USD 500,000 will be disbursed within two weeks, sourced from the 2025 national budget.

“We are close to consummating this deal,” Forth declared, “Once the payment is made, the procurement and ordering process will begin to bring relief to commuters countrywide.”

ABK Incorporated, a homegrown Liberian enterprise owned by Alieu B. Kromah, specializes in providing alternative transportation solutions. Their involvement marks a key shift toward local partnership in national development initiatives.

Since taking the reins at the NTA in October last year, Forth says he has been on a mission to rebuild a near-defunct institution. At the time of his appointment, none of the NTA’s buses were operational, and the agency’s infrastructure was severely deteriorated.

“After appearing at the MICAT regular press briefing in August last year, I made a commitment to revamp this broken system,” he shared, “Within six months, we’ve repaired 13 out of 15 buses donated by the Indian Government.”

He explained that most of the essential spare parts had to be imported from India, a delay that tested the agency’s repair timelines. The 2024 fiscal year saw USD 300,000 allocated by the government to assist with these recovery efforts.

In addition to bus repairs, the NTA used part of the funds to acquire two 30KVA and one 100KVA generators to restore stable power to the NTA compound vital for operations and maintenance.

Beyond vehicles and parts, Forth uncovered widespread shortages of basic tools and missing equipment including tire rings, many of which were retrieved from scrap shops across Monrovia. These efforts, he noted, are part of broader reform initiatives.

Significantly, the agency requested an audit by the General Auditing Commission (GAC), which has since been conducted. Results are currently pending.

In the last six months, the NTA has also completed a Human Resource manual, now headed for printing and distribution, and finalized a new compensation matrix to improve employee welfare. The agency has implemented a performance management system introduced by the government and launched a new website and billboard under its five-year strategic plan.

To build institutional capacity, the NTA has brought in professional trainers to conduct health and safety sessions for drivers and mechanics. Furthermore, a contract for employee health insurance has completed the bidding process and awaits final approval from the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC).

Forth also addressed long-ignored infrastructure concerns. Until recently, over 400 employees shared only two restrooms. A new, sex-separated restroom facility is now under construction and is expected to be completed in two weeks.

Additionally, the reconstruction of the agency’s fire-damaged administrative building is now moving forward after initially being stalled by PPCC directives.

“We are committed to transforming the NTA into a fully functional and efficient agency that serves the needs of all Liberians,” Forth concluded, underscoring a vision not only of mobility but of institutional renewal, transparency, and public service delivery.