MONROVIA – Barely two days following a Rural Reporters News Network (RRNN) report about threats of mass protest against the Government of Liberia (GoL), from members of rural communities where large-scale logging concession operations are taking place across the country, the GoL has commenced the settlement of arrears to forestry communities, RRNN has reliably gathered.
The RRNN report stated that affected communities were gearing up for a mass protest against the GoL over what community members claim to be unpaid fees as a rental for their farmlands.
However, the government has initiated a payment process for forest communities, beginning with an allocation of US$746,292, representing arrears from the 2024 National Budget.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has confirmed that 40% of the initial US$300,000 earmarked for payment has been deposited into the National Benefit Sharing Account in Liberian dollars, according to a statement released to the press today by the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDC).
But RRNN has been reliably informed that the remaining 60% of the money the GoL owes forestry-affected communities, which is to be disbursed in United States currency, is being delayed due to insufficient funds in the account linked to the check issued by the MFDP.
Howbeit, NUCFDC representatives have been informed by Finance Ministry authorities that they are considering re-writing a balance of US$300,000 check into Liberian dollars for payment.
According to our informants, the National Benefit Sharing Trust Board (NBSTB) has been notified by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) that such adjustment is necessary, given the current shortage in the availability of United States dollars in the country. But while the NBSTB has accepted this proposal, it is yet to receive confirmation regarding the re-written check.
“We appreciate the government for their attentiveness and the initial steps taken to address these financial challenges, particularly acknowledging the efforts of the FDA Managing Director who has actively engaged with the MFDP to ensure these funds are released,” the NUCFDC statement quotes an unnamed spokesperson of the group.
Meanwhile, the NUCFDC is urging the government to expedite payment for the remaining funds the GoL owes forestry communities including the outstanding balance of US$446,292, which the group says was appropriated in the 2024 National Budget.
The NUCFDC indicated that such payment is crucial for clearing the budget allocations intended for forestry communities.
Ahead of the drafting of the National Budget for 2025, the union is also calling on the Executive and Legislative Branches of the Liberian government to prioritize the appropriation and payment of over US$6 million it says the GoL owes forest communities.
“Addressing these outstanding payments is essential as we transition into a new Revenue Sharing Regime,” the NUCFDC statement noted, further quoting its spokesperson as adding, “This is our formal appeal for renewed efforts to resolve the longstanding issue of community land rental fee arrears once and for all.”
Edited by Olando Testimony Zeongar.
