By: Matthias F. Larbeindee |LFMW Contributing Reporter
Monrovia, Liberia -Tuesday, September 2, 2025– In response to mounting concerns over illegal deforestation and land rights violations in Gbarzon District, Grand Gedeh County, the House of Representatives has summoned key government officials to testify before its leadership.
The move, spearheaded by Representative Jacob Cheategba Debee II of Grand Gedeh County District #3, follows reports of large-scale forest clearing and land appropriation in Gboe Chiefdom, actions believed to contravene Liberia’s 2018 Land Rights Act.
Officials from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia Land Authority (LLA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and several other agencies have been cited to appear next Monday. The House is seeking clarity on the legal and procedural handling of land transfers and environmental oversight in the region.
Rep. Debee pointed to what he called coordinated activities by local authorities, including the Statutory Development Superintendent and the Magistrate of Chayee Town that have led to widespread deforestation without the required community consent or proper documentation.
Liberia Forest Media Watch Raises Red Flags
Independent reporting by Liberia Forest Media Watch (LFMW) has played a crucial role in bringing the issue to national attention. The media watchdog has documented extensive forest depletion in Gboe Chiefdom, including the clearing of vast tracts of primary forest without approved environmental impact assessments.
LFMW investigations have also highlighted the absence of enforcement by regulatory bodies such as the FDA and EPA, and the lack of consultation with customary landowners, a direct violation of the Land Rights Act, which mandates participatory processes before any land alienation.
In several of its recent reports, LFMW raised concerns over increasing land grabs in forested communities, often under the guise of development projects or resettlement plans. According to the group, affected residents in Grand Gedeh have complained of being sidelined in decisions affecting their ancestral lands.
Oversight and Accountability Demanded
During his statement to the House, Rep. Debee emphasized the urgent need for the Liberia Land Authority to clarify whether it has taken any action to block or regulate illegal acquisitions. He questioned the issuance of land titles, dispute resolution efforts, and the LLA’s presence in the region.
The FDA’s capacity to enforce forest conservation laws is also under scrutiny. Debee called on the agency to explain its monitoring and intervention efforts in Gboe, where timber harvesting appears to be occurring unchecked.
Similarly, the Environmental Protection Agency is being asked to explain its absence from the district and to account for any steps taken to assess environmental impact or preserve carbon stock, a key concern in Liberia’s climate commitments.
Wider Implications for Rural Governance
The House’s inquiry reflects growing national concern over land tenure security and environmental governance in Liberia’s rural areas. Civil society actors, including LFMW, have warned that weak oversight and corrupt practices could undermine community rights and fuel future conflict.
The upcoming legislative hearing is expected to bring these concerns to the forefront, with lawmakers demanding detailed documentation and testimony from the cited agencies. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for how the Liberian government addresses land use and environmental protection going forward.
