Published: October 31, 2025
MONROVIA — Former Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye says he holds no resentment over his removal from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s cabinet, comparing his dismissal to the return of a “borrowed coat”.
Paye, a former Unity Party (UP) chairman who was replaced by R. Matenokay Tingban last week, told staff at a farewell gathering on Thursday that public service should never be seen as a personal possession.
“The coat someone lends you to wear does not belong to you, so there is no fixed time to ask for it,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “The lender can even see you on the street and ask for it back, that’s why if you’re wearing a borrowed coat, you should wear a T-shirt under it.”
His comments appeared to downplay speculation that he was blindsided or angered by his removal. Paye’s analogy, however, also served as a subtle reminder of the precarious balance between political trust and public service in Liberia’s governance culture.
Smooth Transition and Institutional Continuity
Paye said he has already initiated a smooth transition to ensure stability at the ministry. “We have agreed on the steps to take and where to begin,” he said. “Our goal is to hand over all assets, inventories, and financial records properly to the incoming management.”
He pledged to brief his successor on ongoing policy initiatives and 2025 projects. “The work of development does not stop with individuals,” Paye added. “Institutions must remain strong and functional regardless of who is in charge.”
Gratitude and Reflection
Paye thanked President Boakai for the opportunity to serve, calling his time in office a privilege. “Out of more than five million Liberians, I was honored to manage two key sectors of our economy, energy and mining,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the ministry’s staff, local communities, and technical partners, including the University of Liberia and license holders, for their collaboration. “Our country is too richly endowed by God with resources to remain poor and dependent,” he noted.
A Broader Message: Power Is Temporary
The former minister used the occasion to send a message about humility and national purpose. “We are leaving the ministry, but we are not leaving Liberia,” he said. “Public service is not a lifetime entitlement. What matters is whether you used your time to build something meaningful.”
Paye urged Liberians to focus on national transformation through innovation and education. “The journey is not over,” he said. “We must believe that Liberia can be transformed. God has given us the same wisdom and resources that developed other nations; what we need is the will to create opportunities for our people.”
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