The Deputy Minister for Administration (DMA) Designate at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI), Tarnue Jeke, on Wednesday June 5, 2025 appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Industry to provide his perspective of what kind of MoCI he visualizes, with respect to the Ministry’s mandate. 

In an opening statement political observers described as brief but well-tailored, Mr.  Jeke said his primary focus will be on enhancing the Ministry’s administrative and operational efficiency, if confirmed by the Liberian Senate. 

He outlined a five-point approach that will be used in achieving such an ambitious vision, taking the team spirit into consideration.

Mr. Jeke named  the process as streamlining  internal processes in Human Resource (HR), procurement, logistics, and financial management; strengthening compliance with Public Financial Management and Public Procurement laws; introducing performance-based systems that improve accountability and responsiveness.

The other two include leveraging his project management experience to support donor coordination and implementation, and the enhancement of interdepartmental collaboration to enable the Ministry of Commerce & Industry serve businesses, investors and trade partners in an improved way. 

Touching on other pertinent issues, he pledged to work along with his colleagues in tackling issues of monopoly, price control, providing the requisite environment that enables local businesses to be strong and competitive, etc.

 He told the Senate Committee on Commerce and Industry that his proven track record of reform-mindedness, leadership, commitment to transparency, and results-driven approach to public administration would be applied to engender the needed progress.

“I understand the importance of commerce and trade as engines of national development, and I am committed to providing the administrative backbone necessary for the fulfillment of the Ministry’s mandate,” Mr.  Jeke added. 

He also stressed the importance of team work- noting that mutual respect for others, especially Commerce & Industry Minister, Magdalene E. Dagoseh would also serve as the hallmark of his work at the Ministry, if confirmed.  

The Deputy Commerce Minister Designate for Administration, Tarnue N. Jeke’s professional life numbers over fifteen years in both public and private sectors, where he supervised multimillion dollars  projects with a number of financial and related institutions, including the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment(LBDI), the American Refugee Committee, World Bank, EU, etc

The confirmation hearing was graced by relatives, friends, well-wishers and members of the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, led by Minister Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh.