Bility Wants Boakai Explain Paye’s Dismissal -Says Clarity Consistent with Transparent Governance

MONROVIA – Musa H. Bility, Representative of District 7, Nimba County, and Political Leader of the Citizens Movement for Change, has called on President Joseph N. Boakai to provide a full and honest explanation for the dismissal of Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye.

In a release issued yesterday, Bility said the Liberian people deserve to know why a Minister who has kept his institution free of scandal, conflict, and controversy was dismissed.

“Silence breeds distrust, and distrust erodes the very foundation of public confidence in government,” he said, conjecturing that the former Minister’s dismissal may be linked to his resistance against attempts to turn over the Kitoma iron ore deposit in Nimba County to ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).

Bility who also hails from Nimba County like the sacked Minister of Mines Paye, noted: “If true, this would represent a deeply troubling precedent that places private interests above the national interest. The President owes the Liberian people an explanation.”

He said explanation on why Minister Paye was dismissed was needed for the sake of transparency, fairness, and good governance.

According to the Bility, over the last several months, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy has stood out as one of the few institutions of government that has operated without major controversy, scandal, or public accusation of corruption.

“Under the leadership of Minister Paye, the Ministry maintained stability, order, and integrity, ensuring that mining companies operated within the confines of their licenses and obligations to the State,” he said. “It is therefore both surprising and troubling that the Minister has been summarily dismissed under the often quoted pretext of ‘the prerogative of the President.’

While no one disputes the President’s constitutional right to hire and dismiss officials, Bility stressed that right must be exercised with respect for the public’s right to know.

He said: “Transparency and accountability are not optional in a democracy; they are obligations owed to the Liberian people.”

Bility recalled other previous “unexplained dismissals of reputable public servants, which he noted the absence of clarity invited speculation and reputational damages built over years of service.

According to him, when men and women of integrity are dismissed without reason, their family names and professional records are unfairly subjected to public suspicion.

“This is neither fair nor consistent with the principles of good governance that this administration has repeatedly promised,” he said.

He spoke of “reports” indicating that the removal of Minister Paye may be linked to his resistance against attempts to turn over the Kitoma iron ore deposit in Nimba County to ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).

The CMC leader further asserted: “It is alleged that the Minister’s principled stance, prioritizing national interest and fairness over corporate influence, may have precipitated his removal. If true, this would represent a deeply troubling precedent that places private interests above the national interest.”

“Let it be clear,” he continued, “this matter is not about Nimba County, nor about the newly appointed Minister. It is about the fundamental principle of transparency in governance and respect for public accountability.

“The Liberian people deserve to know why a Minister who has kept his institution free of scandal, conflict, and controversy was dismissed. Silence breeds distrust, and distrust erodes the very foundation of public confidence in government.”

“I therefore call upon the President to provide a full and honest explanation to the nation. In a government that claims to value openness and integrity, the people must never be left to speculate on matters of such importance,” Bility concluded. “For the sake of transparency, fairness, and good governance, the President owes the Liberian people an explanation.”