MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Ministry of Mines and Energy has officially inaugurated a new county office in Bentol City, Montserrado County, as part of efforts to decentralise services and improve oversight of the nation’s natural resources.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, December 29, 2025, Mines and Energy Minister, Matenokay Tingban, said,” The establishment of the facility is intended to bring the ministry’s services closer to citizens while strengthening the management and regulation of Liberia’s natural resources”.
Minister Tingban cautioned against the operations of certain foreign companies, accusing them of exploiting the country’s resources without undertaking proper land reclamation.
He urged authorities and local communities to exercise vigilance when engaging with such entities.
The minister also underscored the need to formalise the Artisanal Mining Sector by organising miners into cooperatives, noting that this approach would promote accountability and sustainability within the industry.
Minister Tingban assured the public that the government is working to increase Liberian participation in the mining sector.
Meanwhile, Minister Tingban called on local authorities to collaborate closely with the ministry to monitor mining activities and ensure effective regulation.
He further explained that the ministry is shifting its focus from dependence on royalties to equity participation, particularly in the Artisanal and Alluvial Mining Sectors, as a strategy to create jobs and improve the living standards of citizens.
In closing, the minister stressed that the ministry’s mission is centred on serving the people rather than seeking recognition, describing the newly opened county office as a vital instrument for delivering services directly to communities.
The program concluded with a renewed call for unity, cooperation, and commitment to responsible natural resource management in the interest of national development.
At the same time, the Mines and Energy Ministry has announced plans to establish official county offices in all fifteen counties of Liberia, to strengthen decentralisation and improve service delivery.
Addressing officials of the government and local authorities, the Deputy Minister for Mines and Energy for Planning, Fahnseth Mulbah, said,” The new offices will ensure transparency and easier transactions”.
Minister Mulbah also noted that the initiative is intended to improve oversight and direct engagement between the ministry and the people.
He said,” To support the new offices, the ministry has recruited thirty mining engineers and geologists, with plans to hire an additional forty technicians and professionals.
The Deputy Minister for Planning said the offices will also be equipped with logistics, including fifteen vehicles and twenty motorcycles, as well as internet, electricity, and other essential equipment.
Meanwhile, Montserrado County Superintendent, Whroway Bryant, has underscored the challenges of insecurity and youth unemployment in the County.
Superintendent Bryant said addressing those visions will transform Bentol into a fully functioning working city.
He also acknowledged the Minister of Mines and Energy, his deputy ministers for taking such initiatives.