-Makes New Appointments
MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has replaced Wilmot Paye as Minister of Mines & Energy, headlining a wide-ranging series of appointments and changes across key government institutions announced on Monday.
The move, which also saw leadership changes at the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), is framed by the Executive Mansion as part of the President’s “continued efforts to strengthen governance, improving institutional performance, and ensuring accountability and efficiency within the public sector in line with the ARREST Agenda.”
The most prominent change is at the Ministry of Mines & Energy, where Mr. R. Matenokay Tingban has been nominated as the new Minister, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate. He will be supported by two new assistant ministers: Mr. Sumo Samuel Momolu (Assistant Minister for Mines) and Mr. Samuel Summerville (Assistant Minister for Mining Exploration).
The Liberia Airport Authority is also undergoing a major leadership transition. The President has accepted the resignation of the Board Chairman, Hon. Massaquoi Kamara, and directed the retirement of the Managing Director, Hon. Jeremiah Mends-Cole, on medical grounds. To fill the vacancies, Mr. Ernest R. Hughes has been appointed as the new Managing Director, and Mr. Nyan Mantein as the new Chairman of the Board.
Other key appointments announced include:
- Ministry of Education: Mr. Thomas Momo Parker as Deputy Minister and Mr. Oscar Gurtor Flomo as Assistant Minister for Planning, Research and Development.
- National Commission on Higher Education: Dr. Cecelia Cassell as Executive Director.
- Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection: Ms. Agnes C. Marshall and Ms. Josephine Greaves as Assistant Ministers.
- The Judiciary: Five new judges were appointed to courts in Gbarnga, Lofa, Bong, and Grand Gedeh Counties.
Additional appointments were made to the Civil Service Agency Board of Appeal and the Liberia Immigration Service.
In a statement, President Boakai extended his appreciation to the outgoing officials for their dedicated service. He simultaneously called on the new appointees “to serve with integrity, diligence, and a renewed sense of duty to the Liberian people.”
The new nominations are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate where applicable.
