Liberian News: Paye Stresses Inter-Governmental Approach

Monrovia-Making an appearance before the Senate Committee on Mines, Energy, and Natural Resources, to respond to the Committee’s concerns about the use of chemicals in mining procedures, which has had incidents of spillage in some mining operational areas in the country, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye has told that august body that there is a need for a concerted national effort to address mining issues in the country.

Alongside the Deputy Minister for Operations, William Hines, and the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, who mainly spoke to the environmental concerns of the Senators, Minister Payeinformed the Senate’s natural resources Committee that whilst some level of progress is being made in ensuring proper monitoring and the Ministry exercising its regulatory mandate over the mineral sector, constraints are being experienced due to limited funds to have the Ministry’s presence in every mining location with trained and competent sector professionals.

Premiering among the Senators’ concerns were maximizing inspection of mining operations to ensure adherence to the Mining Law and Regulations by License holders in all categories of mining. They were seeking answers from the Mines Minister in the best way possible to profile illegal miners and stop their activities which are polluting water bodies due to the use of mercury; a dangerous insoluble substance, and also, the impacts underground mining could leave behind after such mining operations come to a close.

Minister Paye, and Deputy Minister Hines informed the Senate Committee that the Operations of industrial mining companies are being properly assessed by the current administration of the Ministry, and findings will be adequately addressed. On that, the Minister said, a holistic national decision-making is key to charting a new course because these companies are operating with existing Mineral Development Agreements (MDAs) which have terms and conditions that were legislated.

The Mines and Energy Minister gave the assurance that frantic efforts are being made to prevail on reforms crucially needed to make the mineral sector beneficial to the Country through revenue generation. He answered in the affirmative, some the Senators’ concerns about whether Cabinet Meetings of the President were elevating issues surrounding mining the Country’s minerals, and said, President Joseph NyumaBoakai, Sr., is deeply concerned about improving the mining sector in support of economic growth and national development.

The Senate’s natural resources Committee is headed by Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Hon. Simeon Taylor as Chairman. Senators holding membership of that committee present at the hearing were: Senator Boto Kanneh of Gbarpolu County, Senator Thomas Nimley Yaya – Grand Gedeh, Senator Dabbah M. Varpilah – Grand Cape Mount, and Senator Gbleh-boBrown of Maryland County.

Attached: Video and images from the Tuesday, March 4, 2025 appearance of Minister Wilmot Paye before the Senate Committee on Mines, Energy and Natural Resources.

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.