MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Ministry of Mines and Energy has accused traditional leaders of interfering with the work of Mines Inspector in the counties.

The Inspector General of Mines, Obadiah Arku, decried the constant use of the Country Devil and other tactics by traditional leaders to intimidate Inspectors in various mining communities across the Country.

Mr. Arku said:” The Ministry is taken aback by such action, especially when the Ministry of Internal Affairs is a high ranking member of the Special Technical Committee on Illicit and Illegal Mining.”

A Mines and Energy release issued over the weekend quoted the Inspector General as saying traditional leaders’ behavior is robbing the Liberian Government of needed revenue that should have contributed significantly to national development