MONROVIA, Liberia — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has mandated Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to take direct charge of efforts aimed at accelerating the finalization and operationalization of the long-delayed Putu Iron Ore Project in southeastern Liberia.
The directive, contained in a Cabinet communication and official presidential correspondence, underscores the government’s growing concern over delays in concluding negotiations and transferring ownership of the Putu mining assets to enable the project’s full restart.
According to the President, the Office of the Presidency has received periodic updates over the past 18 months indicating that negotiations and arrangements for the transfer of ownership of the Putu mining assets were nearing completion. However, Boakai noted that the process remains unduly prolonged, prompting decisive intervention from the Executive Mansion.
“This delay is no longer tenable,” the President said in the directive, emphasizing that the revival of the Putu project is of critical national importance.
Economic Significance of the Putu Project
The President stressed that the commissioning of the Putu mines is vital to strengthening Liberia’s economic performance, generating government revenue, and expanding employment opportunities—particularly for citizens in southeastern Liberia where development expectations surrounding the project remain high.
The Putu Iron Ore deposit, located primarily in Grand Gedeh County, is considered one of Liberia’s major untapped mineral resources and has long been viewed as a potential driver of economic growth and regional development.
However, the project has experienced repeated delays following the withdrawal of previous concession holders and prolonged negotiations over asset ownership and operational arrangements.
Vice President Assigned Oversight Role
Under the President’s directive, Vice President Koung has been instructed to spearhead a coordinated inter-agency effort to conclude all outstanding processes necessary to bring the project into operation.
Key ministries and agencies—including the Ministry of Mines and Energy (Liberia), Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (Liberia), National Investment Commission (Liberia), and the Ministry of Justice (Liberia)—have been ordered to align their efforts under the Vice President’s coordination.
The Vice President is also expected to convene an inter-agency task force within five working days to develop a roadmap with clearly defined timelines for completing the transfer of the Putu assets.
Urgent Timeline and Accountability Measures
The directive outlines several immediate actions:
- Finalization of the transfer of Putu mining assets from the current sanctioned owners.
- Identification and removal of regulatory or administrative bottlenecks delaying the project.
- Alignment of financing arrangements and technical preparations for operational commencement.
- Biweekly progress reports to the President detailing milestones achieved and challenges encountered.
President Boakai emphasized that officials involved must treat the assignment with “utmost urgency, professionalism, and accountability.”
The government, he added, is determined to move the Putu project “from prolonged negotiation to productive operation,” ensuring the venture translates into tangible economic benefits for the Liberian people.
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