Mfgap/LMC Forest Story Archive

06/04/2022

From Henry B Gboluma Jr

BOPOLU, Gbarpolu County - A community forest leadership has cautioned county officials and residents to stay away from matters of the management of forest resources.

28/01/2022

Don't miss it!

23/12/2021

Thanks Daylight. Keep up the great work.

Banner Imgae: Tenneh Sanii sitting under her kitchen in Kiawelahun village. The DayLight/Emmanuel Sherman By Emmanuel Sherman FORNOR, Grand Cape Mount County – Tenneh Sanii, 46, is the only female member of the community forest development committee (CFDC), which represents villagers’ interest i...

21/12/2021

Banner Image: The photograph of President George Weah violated the Land Rights Act by accepting 1,500 acres of land in Gbi-Doru, Nimba County. Picture credit: The Analyst By Varney Kamara In 2020, the people of Gbi-Doru district in Nimba County gave President George Weah 1,500 acres of land he is us...

15/12/2021

From Henry

13/12/2021

NEEZWEIN, River Cess — A power struggle is playing out here deep in the forest and the stakes for the local people are high. Logging companies with concession agreements that include thousands of dollars of benefits for local communities say their work is being hamstrung by informal loggers who di...

08/12/2021

17/11/2021

From Prince Mulbah of Radio Life in Zorzor

11/11/2021

Logging Company Bows To Media Pressure – Promises To Implement Social Agreement November 10, 2021 Cholo Brooks Other News 0 By Eric Opa Doue of the Liberia Forest Media Watch / [email protected]/[email protected] LIBERIA: EJ and J Investment Corporation, a company operating the Zia...

11/11/2021

LMC/MFGAP STORY

COMMUNITIES COMPLAIN OF SLOWNESS IN BENEFIT PAYMENT BY COMPANIES

BY: AARON W. GEEZAY 0880992716/0770992716/[email protected]

Members of the Zialu and Teekpeh Authorized community forests in River Cess County are complaining of the delay by companies operating in their forests to pay their just benefits.

The Z&T Community Forest lies within Latitude (465090 656758) North of the Equator and Longitude (465090 638608) West of the Greenwich Meridian and located in Central Rivercess District, Rivercess County. It covers a total of 24, 649 hectares or 60, 909 acres of land.

A Community Forest is the forest plantation, for which rights have been granted to the community living in or near it, by the FDA through an Authorized Community Forest Agreement (CFMA), to manage and utilize the forest in a sustainable manner.

The issue of Community Forest was given birth to by the Community Rights Law (CRL) of 2009. The Community Rights Law is a reform document (National Forestry Reform Law of 2006) that is aimed at giving power to communities to have ownership over certain forests lands passing through nine steps.

Said reform and other reforms came as a result of the signing of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) by Liberia following the civil conflict in the country.

Currently there are four community forests in River Cess including the Garwein Community Forest, Gbarsaw&Dorbor Community Forest, Zialu&Teekpeh Community Forest and the Central Monweh Community Forest.

According to representatives of the Z&T community forest, they are yet to get a full benefit of their forest from the companies for the harvesting of logs from their respective forests.

Abraham Whilzard, Chairman of Executive Committee (EC) of the Community Assembly (CA) of the Z&TCF said since his community signed a Third Party Social Agreement with EJ&J Corporation in November of 2018, the company is reneging on fulfilling their portion of the agreement.

Citizens of Kploh (Z&T Community Forest) in November of 2018 signed a third party agreement with EJ&J Investment.

Said agreement gives the EJ&J the rights to give the forest to a company to harvest logs, but with the consent of the community.

In the five years agreement between members of the Z&TCF and the management of the EJ&J investment, the investor agreed to construct hand pumps and pit latrines in the first and second year or before the end of the third year from the day of signing.

“In the agreement for example, the company said it was going to pay $6000USD annually for Scholarship for students of the affected community, $5000USD for support to the Kploh Community clinic in Zammie Town, construction of 16 hand pumps and eight pit latrines and rehabilitation of our community roads. But since then, we are now into the third year and the EJ&J/Brilliant Marjue is yet to complete what they were to do on a a quarterly or yearly basis, as well as things they supposed to do in the first, second and third year”.

“For the toilet and hand pump nothing has been done the people just dug pits in some of the towns and abandoned them”.

“On the side of the scholarship, they only paid half semester and the rest of the money for the scholarship none has been done, which off course they supposed to pay after every six months”. Whilzard added.

‘’The support to clinic, they are to pay $6000USD every year, that is they supposed to pay $3000USD every six month. Frustratingly, they have paid only $3000 for the past three years”.

Besides the scholarship, clinic support, hand pump, latrine and others, the community is entitled to several financial benefits including Land Rental Fees, Royalty Benefit and Cube Miter Fees.

But in reaction to Mr. Abraham Whilzard’s assertion, the General Coordinator of EJ&J, Stanley G. Whilzar denied the allegation of his company refusal but blamed their failure to live up to the agreement on the outbreak of the Corona virus Disease that took place one year four months after the penning of the agreement.

“Well, if community will come up to say majority of the Social Agreement was not met that’s not truth. According to the Forest Reform Law, if you have entered into harvesting is when you pay majority of the social liability.

But while we were into the pre-finance process, the issue of the scholarship and the issue of the clinic benefit was paid, including Land Rental fees”.

Even their cube miter fees are being paid fully as shipment is made we make sure and pay their cube miter fees. Whilzar added.

“So when it comes to the issue of some projects, yes, some of the projects are ongoing and due to the corona virus that hit the entire World that brought some economic setback to the entire country that brought some setback to our company. In that process we informed the Community Forest Management Body (CFMB) who is the direct representative of the community and we also informed FDA that need an extension of our project, mainly because of the corona virus”.

He added “In our contract we have a phrase called “Force Marjue” and the word force marjue is something beyond the control of everybody. So looking at this virus hitting the entire World in fact our partner was greatly affected so that brought a great set back”. However be it, we have started with the project. Have dug the wells and pits and, only waiting for the water table to go down for us to start laying the curvets. Whilzar added.

Giving a scenario of ongoing saga in the Zialu and Teekpeh Community a Chain of Cody Inspector/Forest Ranger of the Forestry Development Authority assigned to the EJ&J/BMI, Blamo Chea admitted the true existence of the conflict between the company and the community.

The role of the Forest Ranger under the FDA is to serve as eye of the government to ensure that the company do the right things such as total adherence to the Reformed National Forestry law and other international laws governing the harvest of logs, ensure environmental safety, and that government revenues are paid without any form of cheating on the part of the company in regards to the scaling of logs and other issues.
According to Mr. Chea the CFMB of the Z&TCF have written the FDA an official complaint against the company over their failure to do what are enstrained in the Social Agreement.

“I will start by saying yes, of late they have officially reached my office and I forwarded that communication, a formal communication from the CFMB complaining the company of not meeting up with their obligation. There are a lot of thing that have not been done on the part of the company rather than the toilet and hand pump, frankly speaking”.

So there is a planned meeting from the region, specifically from the Community Department of FDA that will be joining us to probe the allegation that the company is not doing these things”.

He concluded by recommending a dialogue in the settling the dispute between the community and the company. There are times that the community will put up a road block, although road block is not the way out but it also mean that there are issues that have to be addressed.

03/11/2021

Awards Entry Announcement
The Liberia Media Center with support from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) through the Multi-stakeholders Forest Governance and Accountability Project announces the opening of news stories, features and article entries for the 2021 Annual Forest and Environment Reporting Awards for Liberian Journalists.
The MFGA Project under output three (3) has been building the capacities of Liberian Journalists as a means of equipping them with the needed knowledge to investigate and report forest related stories unique to principles of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) to amplify the concerns and progresses of concessionaires, national forest regulatory agencies, rural dwellers or forest communities across the country to promote transparency, accountability and development in the sector.
Unlike the 2020 awards, this year’s award will be done in two (2) categories, radio both community and national and print to include online and print medias. Three very attractive prizes are out for grasp in each category namely first, second and third place respectively.
Additional requirements:
• The story/feature/talk show or article must be about the Liberia Forest or Environment;
• The story/feature or article must be an investigative piece that may lead to some interventions from stakeholders in the sector. Mentioning possible impact after the broadcasting or publication could be a plus;
• The story must be broadcast or published between January and November 20, 2021 on any platform;
• The reporter must be a Liberian journalist/freelance reporter and not necessarily a member of the MFGAP/LMC Reporters Network;
• For radio, audio recording of the news bulleting on which the story was carried should accompany the application, while for the print, hard copy or snap copy of the newspaper with date visible should accompany the application and the link to the online source should be provided for the online based media outlets;
• Fill in the complete application form with supporting documents and attachments and submit to [email protected].
Your Entry should contain the followings:
Full Name:
Institution:
Contact #:
Story Title:
Story Summary:
Story Impact:
Date of Publication/Broadcast:
Your Bio (Summary) 500 Characters:
Attach Story Audio/Snap or link:
All entries are to be submitted on or before November 24, 2021 at 5:00. For inquires please call: 231886599136/0776599136
Signed: ____________________________
Francis S. Brewer
Program Manager
Liberia Media Cente

29/10/2021

From Henry Gboluma in Gbarpolu

29/10/2021

From Voice of Gbarpolu

21/10/2021

Forest Dependents around the Sapo National Park Want FDA Introduce Livelihood Development Programs

By Ezekiel Geeplay, Sinoe County

GREENVILLE Oct 21 - Residents surrounding the Sapo National Park in Sinoe County says, in order to avoid illegal killing of protected wild life as well the distribution of forest resources; there's a need for FDA and partners to institute more measures as part of launching livelihoods development programs for they as locals.

Speaking to forest reporters in Bilibokree Tuesday, Narrison Kayan who is the statutory district superintendent of Juarzon said having the park situated in the district is a plus, adding that in order for the park to be free of illegal activities, it is indeed bounding on FDA and partners to provide livelihoods alternative for forest dependents.

"Everyday people are going in the park reported by the FDA, but again where you tied the goat is where it can eat. I think in my mind if FDA and the government want that part to be completely free of illegal entry then they need to brainstorm on new measures that will be used for citizens’ upkeep" He explained.

Superintendent Kantan named technical and vocational training centers, village saving loans and soap making among others will help the locals.

The Juarzon statutory district chief executive made the assertion recently during a two day district stakeholders engagement meeting held at the Bilibokree City Hall in the district headquarters.

Explaining further on the many challenges facing residents of the district, a youth representative Christ Karon from Jalay town, the headquarter of the Sapo National Park expressed what he described as being disappointed in the FDA noting that the presence of FDA and Park in the district are meaningless as nothing has been done for the wellbeing of affected communities.

"My brother can you imagine in this Jalay Town there's no hand pump here to provide safe drinking water. FDA can put drums in pick up trunk and go to Bilibokree in order to get water for their usages. We are not happy at all" Karmo explained.

Chris said while it is true that FDA is a government’s institution more needs to be done in order to improve the livelihoods of residents knowing the fact that they National Park is situated in the area.

For his part, Briton Laws the current Chief Park Walden assigned at the Sapo National Park told reporters that FDA continues to do her best, adding that there has been so many livelihoods development Programs introduced contrary to the community claims.

"We have provided rice and cassava machines, as well finding means to empower the locals in vegetable productions especially affected communities surrounding the Park" he explained.

Laws added that the FDA has been doing well over the years, with strong backing from her national and international partners. He named the FFI, SCNL, WCF and PADEV among others as those organizations partnering with them.

The chief park Walden said there are ongoing constructions of two hand pumps at the park headquarter, adding that there has been more training conducted by FDA and partners for forest dependents but according to him they are not committing their time as well as making use of the training captured.

Established in 1983, the Sapo National Park is one of Liberia's oldest and bigger national park where you find more species, but the park continues to suffer illegal entry by surrounding dwellers as a result of what appears to be lack of Livelihoods Development Opportunities for dependents.

20/10/2021

Banner Image: Artisanal miners often dig large holes and abandon them. The DayLight/Varney Kamara By Varney Kamara GBARMA, Gbarpolu County- Artisanal miners across villages in Gbarpolu County have been trained to carry on smart mining, a sustainable method that seeks to protect the Gola National Par...

20/10/2021

From Henry Henry B Gboluma Jr

Banner Image: Gainkpa, Korninga Chiefdom in Gbarpolu County. The DayLight/James Harding Giahyue The leaders of Korninga A Community Forest spent US$5,275 without the approval of the rest of the community. They paid themselves US$3,300 Christmas gift and US$7,585 for training It spent US$1,300 for le...

18/10/2021

Loaming Danger Hangs Over Tartweh Authorize Forest, Concern Citizens Declared
By: Ezekiel Geeplay, Sinoe County Sinoe

GREENVILLE, October 15, 2021- Serious rigmarole as a result of what appears to be political interferences has led to Tartweh chief forest officer's resignation, while tension continues to increase as citizens are in total doubt about what becomes of the forest current and future status.

Speaking to investigative forest reporters in the port city of Greenville recently, Cornelius Sneh and Sampson Borteh concern citizens of Tartweh expressed fear about what may happen if the Tartweh forest is not managed properly by the current user, adding that the recent MOU the community signed with Sinoe Forest Company was never made visible for citizens to make inputs, but rather alleging that people were paid by some politicians to signed; though they were not specific in making known the name of the political figure.

Chapter 7, section 4 of the Community Forest Rights Law to calls for fifteen days for posting and review of an MOU and another fifteen days for singing making a total of thirty days in keeping with the law which was not the case due to political influence and inducement of community representatives.

“Our community forest is in serious danger, from the initial eleven thousand accrues of land mentioned in the MOU, they currently occupy thirty-three thousand; the question is how this happen. Is FDA really doing her work, or who is the rightful owner of the Sinoe forest company? These are questions that are yet to be answered, something that places our community forest in total danger” The concern group said.

It can be recalled that in June of this year following nearly four years of leadership struggle within the Tartweh Drap Community Forest Region, the Community Forest Management (CFMB), including affected communities members, signed a 15-year agreement with the Sinoe Forest Company to harvest logs.

The memorandum of understanding signed among other things, called for the construction of feeder roads in the chiefdom, provision of safe drinking water, pit latrines construction, as well as provision of scholarships for students studying at secondary schools and universities hailing from the affected communities.

During the signing of the MOU, the Sinoe Forest Company; that is allegedly owned by one of Sinoe lawmakers has also vowed to take the Community’s benefits seriously in keeping with its corporate social responsibility, noting that the agreement will be met within the agreed timeframe which is not the reality now.

At the signing ceremony, it was noticed from the faces of the citizens that they have long awaited this, on grounds that it will help to improve their livelihood.

Some citizens from the affected communities, who spoke with reporters after the signing ceremony, expressed delight, but called on the company to be in line with the agreement.

Contrary to these, concern citizens of Tartweh are calling for the cancelation of the MOU signed, adding that it was illegal and never met the full compliance in keeping with the forest regulatory standards, even though FDA that is charged with the responsibility of managing the country forest sector was also in attendance and witnessed the signing of the MOU in Tartweh.

For his part, the chief forest officer of the Tartweh Authorized Community Forest Myer Padma who said selecting the Sinoe forest company was in the community’s, in an audio clip that is in the possession of reporters alleged he was force to resigned as a result of political tension from Sinoe County District one Representative Crayton Duncan, adding that the lawmaker is 75% shareholder in the company.

“For me, I stand for the truth and for my people, we received bribed to select the Sinoe Forest Company, and the money was given by the lawmaker Rep. Crayton Oman Duncan in Monrovia” Padma explained.

Myer Padma who was bore enough to disclose the amount received added that he has traced the record of the Sinoe Forest Company and from his research the company doesn’t have single legal paper to operate, describing the company as ‘419’ group of company.

Padma narrated that during the signing of the MOU and due to the manner and form through which the lawmaker was proceeding he never signed such agreement, adding that Rep Duncan action is been back heavily by one of Tartweh son Jefferson Kanmoh. “I was removed from my post as chief forest officer simply because I want thing to be straight in the interest of my people, but with the others they were thinking about themselves in term of benefits” he explained.

The Tartweh forest officer has also accused FDA Management, the Ministry of Justice as well the Ministry of internal affairs of been responsible for the constant confusion with the Tartweh Authorize Forest.

“Each time we have issue we will call on FDA, MIA and MOJ, but it seems like they are in the know and even taking side against we as forest dependent community” Tartweh further explained

Speaking further on the Tartweh forest issues, the executive committee chairperson Halary Queto said the information provided by Sneh and Borteh has no true in it, adding that the Sinoe Forest Company operation is legal and met all requirement before the making the official selection.

“Every day Tartweh is too much, these guys are not doing our people well, let us allow the company on grounds that we have signed the agreement three months ago” Queto said.

Prior to the signing ceremony, the company had started the construction of the Planzon River Bridge that links upper and lower Tartweh Chiefdom.

According to Sinoe Forest Company Management, the bridge construction will last for a period of 18 months and when completed will be named the George Manneh Weah Peace Bridge on grounds that it was where the Liberian leader broke ground and later settled peace among the county leaders.

Meanwhile, every efforts made to contact Rep. Crayton Duncan and Hon. Jefferson Kanmoh for clarity has proved fruitless, however, reporters will continue to engage them for clarity on the many allegations against them.

The questions that are yet to be answered are who actually is responsible for the forest conflict in Tartweh, as well who is saying the truth. Up to date, investigation continues as more details to follow.

Photo of Tartweh chief forest officer Myer Padma below

18/10/2021

18/10/2021

By: Ezekiel Geeplay, Sinoe County

Numopoh Forest Management to Elects New Officials, Following the Termination of Delta Timber Agreement

By: Ezekiel Geeplay, Sinoe County

GREENVILLE, Oct16 (LINA)- Following nearly six months of terminating concession agreement with Delta Timber Forestry company Liberia limited, the electoral and advisory board of the Numopoh Authorize Community forest has announced the timetable for the conduct of elections that will bring on board new core of forest officers as the current bitch time has expired.

The move according to the outgoing forest officer Bill Karmoh is in line with the forest laws of Liberia, adding that the expected election will bring on board of new officers who will take on responsibility in managing the forest activities for four years.

“Our time has expired and we don’t want to be like other people that don’t respect the rural of law, and so we will be turning over immediately after the pending election” Karmoh explained.

Speaking to investigative forest reporters, Mr. Cornelius Barshell who is the currently acting as head of the electoral board of the Numopoh Forest Management team said that the body is working out all necessary modalities that will lead to free, fair and transparent election comes November this year.

He maintained that the pending election is part of the forest law, that give tenure to CFMB service, disclosing that registration of candidates, as well other activities leading to the election are ongoing.

Positions to be contested for are the Community Assembly, Executive Committee, and the CFMB chair and co-chair among others.

Meanwhile, the outgoing forest management board has also expressed what it has described as regret and total disappointment in Delta Timber Liberia limited, adding that after five years of operations the company was unable to achieve one of the many commitments placed in the memorandum of understanding.

The signed MOU with the Delta Timber Liberia Limited among other things call for employment, education through scholarship, sanitation, construction and rehabilitations of community roads including payment of land rental fees among others.

When contacted for comment on the community’s allegation, Delta Timber Company’s chief executive officer Gabriel Doe denied all claims and added further that he reserved all comments.

For their part, several citizens in the district of Numopoh are calling on the outgoing CFMB to do a comprehensive report, noting that it will give a clear direction to the new board members in an effort to promote transparency and accountability in the management of the forest and promote development for the common good of the people.

Below are photos of the Outgoing forest officer Bill Karmoh and images from the Delta Timber Company deserted camp.

15/10/2021

From Eric Opa Doue

15/10/2021

LIBERIA: Custodians of 24,449.9 Forest Concession Lack Safe Drinking Water August 1, 2021 Cholo Brooks Other News 0 By Liberia Forest Media Watch/[email protected] Log yard with dome of the equipment The Community Rights Laws of 2009 seeks to put resources at the disposal of forest commu...

15/10/2021

Sawacajuah Community Management Team Calls for Fulfillment of Cooperate Social Agreement Responsibilities to Affected Communities.

By: Ezekiel Geeplay, Liberty Broadcasting Services
Greenville, Sinoe County

Despite Forest Authorities been resolute following lawsuit file recently against Mandra logging company, the management team of the Sawacajuah Community Forest is urging the logging company to live up to the payment of its portion of the social agreement signed.

Speaking to reporters in the district recently, the chairperson of the executive committee Morris Suah said there are still challenges but call on the company to meet up with its social corporate responsibilities.

"We as Community forest management team wants to take this time to urge Mandra to meet up with her portion of a memorandum of understanding signed four years ago" he explained.

Suah maintained that since the company signed the MOU with the community four years ago, the company is yet to meet up with those commitments placed in the agreement.

The Executive forest committee Chairperson who admitted and praised Mandra of paying land rental fees said more need to be done from the company’s end, adding that the agreement among others call for the provision of hand pumps, clinics, scholarship and job opportunities for forest dependent communities among others.

The Sawacajuah forest executive is at the same time calling on the forest development authority (FDA) to give back to the community where it operates, describing FDA presence in the district as non-profitable on grounds that the community lacks major livelihood development initiatives.

“Other counties that have park are greatly benefiting, but in the case of sinoe, FDA has not achieve anything especially within the community it operates” he explained.

Morris Suah who names the lack of job provisions, alternative measures or skills training to avoid illegal killings of wild animals and other activities in the forest as well scholarship for students in those affected communities is also calling on FDA management to relocate the forestry training institute that is currently in Bomi to Sinoe on grounds that Sinoe is where the park is situated.

“By right the Forestry Institute needs to be brought to Sinoe because it is where the park is currently, it will also help in creating job opportunities for the citizens as part of benefits as well enable Sinoe residents who want to be park rangers to have easy access to learning among others” he concluded.

15/10/2021

Tarsue Forest Executives Rejects WAFDI Agreement Signed With Its Forest Official, Described It As Illegal

By Ezekiel Geeplay


GREENVILLE, Sinoe- After receiving information on what appears to be illegal agreement signed as it is been reportedly spread in the district of Sanquin especially with the Tarsue community forest, the executive committee in partnership with the Community Assemblies members have rejected agreement signed recently between the West Africa Forest Development Institute (WAFDI) and its chief forest officer G. Dennis Wiah to allow the company take over the community forest for operation.

The Tarsue community forest in recent time sounded out interest to the public opening up for business, but as it stands many may wonder what led to the action of the EC/CA.

The body in a written communication to its chief forest officer, a copy that is in the possession of the LFMW pointed out specific conditions and reasons, adding that the alleged signing of the agreement between the company and its forest officer was illegal and violates the forest laws of Liberia.

Speaking in a special interview with reporters in the district during the weekend, the chairperson of the Community Assembly Ericson Farley said the action of the forest official was not in line with the forest laws of Liberia as well violates and undermine the operation of the Tarsue forest.

The Community Assembly chair added that they will not rest until the right things are done, noting that they as forest official of the Tarsue are prepare and willing to welcome any concession that will come legally, but contrary to that will lead to no alternative but stop such operation with immediate effect.

“We will continue to push until the rightful company can take over but to say we will give it up free, nothing of such will happen here. The agreement our forest officer signed with WAFDI is illegal and if the company gives him anything, the community is not responsible” Ericson explained.

When contacted for commit on allegations labeled against him, Tarsue chief forest Officer G. Dennis Wiah denied the allegations and choice to reserve all comments on the issue.

Meanwhile, some residents of Tarsue are not happy, terming the constant misunderstanding on who takes over the community as denying the community of major development opportunities.

A senior elder of the community Moulton Tarpeh said he is unhappy with the way in which things are running after given power to their own children to run the affairs of the forest.


Ptoto of Elder Moulton Tarpeh of Tarsue

“My son I am not happy at all, look at Tarsue today, we are behind interm of development and thank God we have a forest but every day that confusion, this is all about everybody want be the head” he explained.