BENTOL –The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), has officially opened its Montserrado County office in Bentol City, marking a major step in the government’s effort to decentralize services and bring the management of natural resources closer to the people.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony on Monday , December 29, 2025, the Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingbah, said the establishment of county offices is part of the ministry’s deliberate plan to move away from centralized operations in Monrovia and ensure effective governance of Liberia’s natural resources.
“We are not fighting for glory; we are fighting to serve the people,” Minister Tingbah declared, stressing the importance of making services of the Ministry accessible in every county, he noted: “Decentralizing the Ministry of Mines and Energy is very cardinal to taking ownership of our natural resources.”
The Minister emphasized the need for stronger oversight and coordination at the county level, especially amid the growing presence of foreign mining companies and the expansion of artisanal mining activities.
He observed that unregulated mining activities have caused serious environmental damage and deprived local communities of meaningful benefits.
“Foreign companies come, extract the minerals, destroy the land, fail to reclaim it, and take the wealth back to build their own countries while Liberians remains poor,” he said. “It is time for us to think wisely, take ownership of our resources, and ensure mining is done the right way.”
Minister Tingbah announced plans to formalize the artisanal mining sector by organizing local miners into cooperatives and ensuring that any partnerships with foreign companies are governed by formal agreements that include social benefits for host communities.
He also emphasized equity participation, production-sharing arrangements, and job creation for Liberians as key priorities.
Providing an overview of the program, the Deputy Minister for Planning and Research, Fahnseth Mulbah, explained that the opening of the Bentol office is part of a broader decentralization strategy to establish official Ministry of Mines and Energy offices in all 15 counties.
“For years, county mining operations were run out of private residences and temporary arrangements,” Mulbah said. “This time, the ministry decided to do it differently by creating official, fully functional county offices that are closer to the mines, the local authorities, and the people.” He noted.
He disclosed that the ministry has already recruited 30 mining engineers and geologists, with plans to hire about 40 more technicians nationwide.
According to him, the ministry also plans to procure 15 vehicles and 20 motorcycles, equip offices with internet and electricity, and construct at least five ministry-owned buildings between now and 2029 to reduce dependence on rented facilities.
Welcoming the Mines and Energy delegation to Bentol, Montserrado County Superintendent Whroway Bryant praised the leadership of Minister Tingbah for prioritizing decentralization.
“Bentol City has long been neglected, but today we are proud to host this important office. The challenges in the mining sector are many, but with the ministry’s team now stationed here, we are confident that we can work together to address issues such as illegal mining, youth unemployment, and environmental degradation.” Superintendent Bryant said.
He assured the ministry of the county administration’s full cooperation and support.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Deputy Minister for Administration Eudora Blay-Pritchard expressed gratitude to God, the ministry’s leadership, county authorities, and staff for making the program a success.
She formally introduced the Montserrado County Mines and Energy team, including the County Mine Officer Butu Levi, Resident Geologist, Veronica Paye-Johnson, and Mining Agents, Leo A. Doerue. Deputy Minister Blay-Pritchard urged the newly assigned staff to serve with integrity, commitment, and professionalism.
