By Henry B. Gboluma, Jr. with the Liberia Forest Media Watch
GBELETA, Gbarpolu County—Residents of Korninga ‘A’ Authorized Forest Community want Coveiyalah Investment Enterprises, Inc pay US$4 million for all the unfulfilled promises during the first 5-year of the 15-year logging contract before any negotiation for renewal can take place.
“If the company meets the community’s demands regarding the unfilled projects from the first five years, we can move ahead with a renewed agreement that includes additional social responsibilities and a clear timeline,” Emery Ciapha, Chief Officer said.
In May 2019, Korninga A Authorized Community Forest and Coveiyalah Investment Enterprises Inc. singed a third-party agreement to harvest logs on a 48,296 hectares of forest land within Bopolu District.
The contract states that the logging company shall build essential infrastructures, including 20 hand pumps in each of the 15 affected communities, latrines, a modern health center, a high school, bridges and a Wood Science College. But none of these promises were implemented, according to community officials.
Community Forest officials say the first five-year term ended in 2024, but renewal was delayed due to internal conflicts within the investor group.
On September 18, 2025, a meeting was organized in Gbeleta, Korninga Chiefdom to review the contract for possible renewal. But community members through their Chief Officer, Emery Ciapha are demanding the company to pay US$4 million in settlement for all the unfulfilled promises during the first five years before they can procced with any negotiation for renewal.
“We will protect the investor to do the right thing, and if not, well bring in a committed third party to benefit our people,” said Chief Officer Emery Ciapha, adding, “This time around, we will not let them take advantage of us.”
Of the 4 million dollars, the community want $2,000,000 for 20 hand pumps that the company should have built in each of the 15 affected communities during the first five years of its operations, $750,000 for the unfulfilled 20 latrines projects and $500,000 for the unimplemented health center project.
Members of the Community Assembly (CA), the highest decision-making body are also demanding $102,204.75 in unpaid land rental fees. The community also reminded the company about its failure to construct three concrete bridges, upgrade and expand three government elementary schools to junior high, and construct one high school in the Chiefdom. The Chief Officer noted that the company also failed to build a Wood Science College it promised the community.
A member of the CA, Junior McGill, said “The company’s activities did not prove to us that they are responsible,” adding, “we will no longer work with them anymore unless they make things right.”
Another community member, Bolowolo Somo, noted that “We want development, not empty promises.”
While community wants settlement for unfulfilled promises, it is also demanding increase in educational fund from $15,000.00 to $25,000 annually, $50,000 for monitoring and Forest Guides, and an increase in the current cubic meter fees of $2.50 to $10.00 in the contract review.
Company seeks reconciliation
The President of Koveiyalah Investment Enterprises, Anthony A. Urey, has apologized for the company’s shortcomings, citing internal conflicts with its Chinese partner.
Addressing the citizens, Mr. Urey said, “There have been misunderstandings within our house that caused us to pause. We stopped logging activities and did not fulfill some promises on paper. I am begging the community to settle this matter so we can revisit and revise the agreement to start work again.”
Mr. Urey admitted internal conflict with Chinese partner contributed to the standoff. In 2022, Lu Li, a Chinese national holding 90 percent of the company’s shares, and Anthony A. Urey, with 10 percent, were involved in a high-profile legal battle that halted the company’s operations due to court’s injunction, which was lifted early this year.
The company recounted how on several occasions their workers were chased out of the forest and called on the forest management body and FDA to resolve the matter as they crave to restart logging activities.
The initial review meeting involved participants from 15 forest governance communities serving on the Community Assembly, the Executive Committee, and the Community Forest Management Body (CFMB).
Two senior officials from Coveiyalah represented the company’s interest. Local authorities including the County Administrative Office, James Koto Scott and Paramount Chief George Suno, along with civil society representatives and FDA officials as well as citizens of Korninga Chiefdom also observed the meeting.
During the review meeting, FDA Regional Forester, Kollie Kpakolo Bonner commended the parties for engaging in dialogue and pledged continued oversight to ensure the company adheres to its contractual obligations while urging the community to safeguard the forest’s integrity for commercial viability.
“We will continue to play a motherly role not just to enhance the review process but to also ensure that company does what they will sign on paper”, said FDA Regional Forester, Kpakolo.
For his part, Paramount George Sumo of the Korninga Chiefdom pledged ongoing cooperation with chiefs and elders to resolve land-conflict issues within the community forest. “We will also work with the chiefs and elders to ensure the community’s interests are protected,” chief Sumo concluded.
James Kpoto, Gbarpolu County Administrative Officer, urged the community to work in the interest of citizens and pressed the company to settle the unfulfilled projects so as to clear the path for renewal.
Community leaders and observers described the case as a test of accountability and a crucial moment for community forest governance not just in the Korninga Chiefdom but across Liberia.
Civil Society Representative, Sylvester Varmah said in an exclusive interview that the outcome of the contract review and potential renewal will hinge on whether Coveiyalah can meet the community’s demands and demonstrate commitment to comprehensive social investments and transparent management of forest resources. He believes that the community remains resolute in its demands, seeking a fair deal that benefits their people.
