MONROVIA – Within a month of taking over the helm of authority at the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Minister Wilmot Paye, has begun rolling out a transformative plan aimed at bolstering the country’s mining and energy sectors.
Unimpeachable sources at the Ministry of Mines and Energy disclosed that Minister Paye has embarked on a mission to “vehemently” transform the MME.
Our sources, who are all long-time employees of the Ministry averred that on the watch of the new minister, Paye, a new dawn has been birthed for total transformation within the country’s mining and energy sectors.
So far, robust actions taken by Minister Paye, geared toward positively transforming Liberia’s mining and energy sectors include ordering a halt to exploration activities at two mining sites in Liberia’s northern Nimba County, where there has been contention over exploration rights between two foreign companies, ArcelorMittal and Solway Mining.
Prior to Paye’s ascendency as Minister of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, both ArcelorMittal and Solway Mining have been tussling over the two mining sites in Nimba, but as a way of quelling such brawl, Minister Paye has written ArcelorMittal, announcing the suspension of exploration at those sites, pending investigation.
Also, the Paye-led administration has begun compliance review of all Concession Agreements; and has introduced a new reporting method for mining companies, aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency.
On Minister Paye’s watch, efforts are currently underway to amend the Mineral and Mining Law of Liberia to conform to current-day reality and international best practices.
Additionally, Minister Paye has officially written the General Auditing Commission (GAC), requesting the GAC to audit the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
