Monrovia – Traditional chiefs and elders in Liberia have raised serious concern over forceful ownership of lands by some stakeholders in government, especially members of the National Legislature, a situation they say will create embarrassment for their future generation.
At the end of a two day seminar on land tenure in Monrovia, the chiefs complained that lands are taken from them in most instances by these so-called big-guys in Liberia without going through a proper arrangement.
Paramount Chief Peter K.W. Barmyou, of Gibi Chiefdom told FrontPageAfrica Tuesday that a proper documentation to guide the ownership and sale of land across Liberia will curtail illegal ownership and forceful claiming of land from its original inhabitants by government officials.
He wants the National Legislature to pass into law the Land Rights Act that will provide a clear dichotomy between ownership and benefits that the commoner will receive in any land interaction in various parts of the country.
“We want this law to pass because, the representatives can come and take sometimes 50 acres of land without giving us anything and we can’t do anything to them because they are in power but when that paper is passed, it will put stop to them” Chief Barnyou asserted.
He furthered that a serious uprising might occur in Liberia years to come, if appropriate regulations are not put in place to guide responsible governance on tenure of Land.
Chief Barnyou maintained that the delay in the passage of the Land Rights Act is a tactic by some members of the National Legislature to continue claiming lands from traditional leaders forcefully without giving them just benefits.
“We don’t want to die or leave power and other people start to tell our children your parents were the ones who sold all the land in this place”, he opined.
At the same time, the Gibi Chiefdom, Paramount Chief is calling for the immediate passage of the Land Right Acts still languishing at the Capitol.
Meanwhile, Stakeholders working in the Forestry, land and fisheries sectors as well as traditional leaders have drafted a document to develop the VGGT multi stakeholder platform for Liberia following a two day seminar organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO.
VGGT is an unprecedented international agreement aimed at helping government safeguard the rights of people to own or access land forests and fisheries.
It outlines principles and practices that government can refer to when making laws and administering land, fisheries and forest rights.
The guideline on responsible governance tenure seeks to address the issue of land crisis in Liberia and provide a forum for all stakeholders on its implementation.
It also provides neutral forum for relevant stakeholders to report and give updates on VGGT progress in the country by addressing issues of gender equality in Liberia and remove political barriers to enable its successful implementation.
The drafting of the resolution and subsequent presentation to government, follows a resolution establishing a Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance institutional framework in Monrovia.
Following the endorsement of the VGGT, FAO established a framework to support programs for the implementation of endorsed guidelines after three successful multi-stakeholders forum.
Speaking at the end of the seminar Tuesday, FAO Country Representative to Liberia, Marc Abdalla said, presentation from various groups at the seminar demonstrates their level of understanding on VGGT implementation.
Mr. Abdala registered that calls for the involvement of every citizens in the implementation process as a means of moving forward in land security.
“It is my belief that at this moment, all of us here will understand what is the VGGT and what it ought to achieve and your participation has achieve the final sector on the role we all have to play on the VGGT and like to thank you for that”, says Mr. Abdala.
He said, FAO is in Liberia to help provide food security as well as protecting properties and the forest region as a way of preserving Liberia natural resources.
At the same time, Deputy Agriculture Minister for Technical Services, Dr. Sizi Subah on behalf of Agriculture Minister Moses Zinnah, welcomed the stakeholders recommendation, noting that it speaks volume of the citizens’ strive to protect their lands.
He however promised to take the recommendations to the Minister for onward submission.
Dr. Subah lauded the participants for their efforts, reminding them of their individual role in achieving their goals.
Willie N. Tokpah – [email protected]