LIBERIA – A source has hinted to Smart News Liberia that international investigators with local partners are conducting a series of alleged connections of two prominent lawmakers who are allegedly using legislative powers to carry on illicit mining and invading taxes in the southeastern part of Liberia.
The reported illicit mining in the southeast by the two lawmakers (names withheld), according to the source depriving the country of its natural resources…
In 2021 the Ministry of Mines and Energy carried out operations against illicit and illegal Mining activities in Southeastern Liberia and reported major progress in Barrobo District, Maryland County.
Adolphus Gleekia, the team leader and Deputy Inspector-General for Mines, said that in order to evade taxes and continue defrauding the Government of needed revenue, illicit Miners in Barrobo District buried and submerged essential equipment from Dredges are illegally operating along the waterways.
Also, it can be recalled July last year, stakeholders in the mining sector called on the government to enforce regulations and laws to curb illicit mining. The stakeholders recommended capacity support and an increase in the number of rangers in protected areas, proper checks, and balances in the sector, increased awareness of new policies and reforms in the mining law, the need to encourage miners to legally obtain licenses and for local leadership to take ownership of the sector by participating in monitoring and reporting on the protection of their environment.
They further recommended training on environmental & social safeguards, legal framework & promotion of participatory monitoring was organized by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (-SCNL), the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) supported by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and UNDP Liberia’s Environmental Governance Project.
