Monrovia – The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) and three non-governmental agencies have signed an MOU to work with 24 communities in eight counties to bring two million acres of land under full community ownership and control.
Report by J. H. Webster Clayeh, [email protected]
The MOU, which was signed by the Acting Chairman of LLA, Atty. J. Adams Monobah, and the Executive Director of the Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI) Mrs. Julie T.B. Weah, is a US$2 million grant project from the International Land and Forest Tenure Facility based in Stockholm, Sweden.
This project is phase two of the project. It is expected to last for 27 months. Other partners of the project are the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and Parley Liberia.
During the first phase of the project, nine communities customary land rights were recognized.
In early September 2018, the Land Rights Act was passed by the 54th Legislature.
This new Land Law recognizes customary land rights. And it grants communities the same legal protection as private landowners.
In pastime, government signed contracts without the consultation with the communities; this new law has dispelled such act.
Under this new law, communities can now develop their own laws to govern land matters and acquire deed from the government to exercise full ownership and control over their land.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at Friday, June 14, 2019, Acting Chairman Manobah praised the three non-governmental organizations for their partnership adding that the government cannot make it on its own.
“I think this is what Liberia needs. Inasmuch as we do not have the resources to even do a quarter of what we supposed to do; it is time for us to look for partners who understand our platform, who understand the government’s agenda and for the Land Authority which also understands the movement and the direction of the land, like law, so that we can get help to meet the cause of the positions of the law,” Atty. Manobah said.
According to the LLA Acting boss, President George Weah is concerned about the implementation of the Land Rights Law.
Atty. Manobah added: “The Economics Advisor to the President stopped by to find out where we are.”
He continued: “The sole purpose is the government has realized that; for this country to be counted as progressive country, the people have to depend on their land. And you cannot depend on the land when you do not have a clear status.”
According to him, Liberians are not going to have real investment if the customary communities do not have their rights.
Also, the Executive Director of Foundation for Community Initiatives, Mrs. Julie T.B. Weah, said since the inception of their works, they have always been able to build a strong relationship with the government.
“And this signing ceremony will boost that partnership,” Madam Weah said.
FCI boss added: “We believed that together we will do a lot to advance the rights and interests of communities land across Liberia.”
The project titled, “Protection of Customary Collective Community Land Rights in Liberia,” will be implemented in Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Sinoe, River Gee and Maryland Counties.
The overall objective of the project is that customary collective community and nature resources tenure rights in Liberia are recognized, formalized and strengthened.
This project will focus on supporting communities to harmonize their boundaries with neighbors, develop community bylaw and acquire deed for their land.