Africa-Press – Liberia. <\/strong><\/span>The Ministry of Justice has given the Liberian government ownership of the controversial 53.34 carats diamond worth approximately US2.7 million.<\/p>\nIt has forwarded the conclusion of its investigative report into the controversial diamond crisis.<\/p>\n
The mineral was found in Smith Town, Gbarpolu County, and has since stirred conflict among multiple parties.<\/p>\n
The diamond in question was found by a group of miners headed by a fisherman identified as Mohammed Kamara, alias \u201cIron Jacket\u201d at claim Number #9 Diamond Creek in Gbarpolu.<\/p>\n
In a communication written and signed by Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musa Dean dated 5 June 2023, the Ministry said it has completed the investigation into the diamond saga as mandated by President George Manneh Weah.<\/p>\n
The communication was addressed to Mines and Energy Minister Gestler E. Murray.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe present our compliments and herewith forward to you the investigation Report into the origin and ownership of the 53.34-carat diamond, found in Gbarpolu County, Smith Town,\u201d the communication quotes Justice Minister Dean.<\/p>\n
According to the Ministry of Justice, findings of the Report are that the 53.34-carat diamond was discovered and recovered in Smith Town, Gbarma Mining District #2, Lofa River, Claim 12 F Survey.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wish to refer you to Article 22 (a) of the Constitution, which states: \u201cPrivate property rights, however, shall not extend to any mineral resources on or beneath any land or to any lands under the seas and waterways of the Republic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll mineral resources in and under the seas and other waterways shall belong to the republic and be used by and for the entire republic,\u201d the communication noted.<\/p>\n
The Justice Minister pointed out that consistent with the constitutional provision, every mining activity must be licensed by the government, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe records having confirmed that the Claimant\u2019s License expired on May 25, 2022, and the diamond was found on April 21, 2023, it is our considered opinion that the Claimant lost all legal rights, privileges, and claims to the diamond,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Following the release of the report, the Miner of the claim, Mr. T. Daniel Sluaward in a press conference said the Justice Minister\u2019s decision is very wicked and evil, adding that it has the propensity to cause conflict.<\/p>\n
According to him, Minister Dean informed them in his communication that their Mining License had expired 11 months back before they discovered the diamond, and as such the diamond belongs to the state.<\/p>\n
But Mr. Sluaward argued that the Ministry of Mines and Energy should be blamed for the alleged that \u2018irresponsible and careless\u2019 act.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that he paid the Ministry for the renewal of his license and a flag receipt was issued to him.<\/p>\n
But he alleged that due to the Ministry\u2019s negligence, they put him on hold to process his license on grounds that their system was always down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not owe [the] government, I have been in the mining sector for over thirty years, not a day I owe the government,\u201d he argued.<\/p>\n
He said the ministry is so careless and irresponsible that when you pay for your license, it just gives you the flag receipt but it can\u2019t process the license.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey shift the blame on their inactive system,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
For More News And Analysis About Liberia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Lincoln G. Peters Africa-Press – Liberia. The Ministry of Justice has given the Liberian government ownership of the controversial 53.34 carats diamond worth approximately US2.7 million. It has forwarded the conclusion of its investigative report into the controversial diamond crisis. The mineral was found in Smith Town, Gbarpolu County, and has since stirred […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":40074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5,7],"tags":[233,237,234],"class_list":["post-40076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-economy","category-head-lines","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-liberia","tag-liberia"],"yoast_head":"\n
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