Friday, May 9, 2025
THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Investigations
  • News
    • National News
    • County News
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Human Interest
    • Press Release
    • Media
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Op-Ed
    • Opinions
    • Letters from the Editor
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Fact Checks
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
  • Sports
THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR
  • Home
  • Investigations
  • News
    • National News
    • County News
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Human Interest
    • Press Release
    • Media
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Op-Ed
    • Opinions
    • Letters from the Editor
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Fact Checks
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
  • Sports
THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR
No Result
View All Result
Home County News

FDA Authority, Lawmaker Clash Over Sapo Park Protection

by Mark N. Mengonfia
July 7, 2024
in County News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
FDA Authority, Lawmaker Clash Over Sapo Park Protection

SINOE – Authorities at Sapo National Park and Sinoe County District 3 lawmaker Alex S. Noah have clashed over the protection of the park.

James Smith, who works with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), raised the need for those illegally occupying the area to move or be removed.

In an exclusive interview with this paper, Mr. Smith called on the President of Liberia to issue an Executive Order that will help protect the national park from intruders, whom he said are causing serious problems in the park.

“The Executive Order should declare the Sapo National Park a no-go zone for unauthorized people. I am also recommending a joint security law enforcement patrol for three months within the park to remove all illegal occupants,” Mr. Smith added.

He said the area has been overtaken by illegal occupants, causing some of the protected species to leave the park. According to the forester, the Sapo National Park is home to great species like the pygmy hippopotamus, Upper Guinea Red Colobus, Western Chimpanzee, and other protected species.

However, the county’s lawmaker sees it differently.

Rep. Noah of District Three, during discussions with the people of the park community, gave a direct instruction to workers of the Sapo National Park not to touch or remove any illegal occupants from the park.

According to the lawmaker, the inhabitants of the park community are used to farming, hunting, and other livelihood activities, but the protection of the area has prevented them from practicing their traditional activities.

Speaking recently when he visited the Sapo National Park community, Rep. Alex S. Noah said it is painful that people who are used to their hunting and other activities are being deprived without any alternatives.

He said as a lawmaker, he is not against the conservation of the Sapo National Park, but what pains him is the lack of alternative livelihoods for the communities near the park.

“We agreed that people should not go into the park, but there should be a way for the people to benefit,” he said. “You cannot treat the people like they are living in slavery.”

According to him, because those in authority come with different plans that are not in favor of the ordinary people, their lives remain in poverty.

The District Three lawmaker said if nothing is done to improve the lives of the ordinary people in the Sapo National Park community, those who are illegally occupying the area will not move, and they should not be removed by force.

“Our people will be there until we talk. Nobody should use ERU, PSU, or any other force to remove them,” he said.

The lawmaker said it is time for them, as the people’s representatives, to stand their ground to ensure that they benefit from their resources.

“For the next six years, I will try my best to represent you. I will speak up to ensure that we all benefit from what God has blessed us with,” he intoned.

Tags: Forestry Development AuthorityLiberiaRep. Alex S. NoahSapo National Park
ShareTweetSend
Mark N. Mengonfia

Mark N. Mengonfia

Next Post
Justice Minister Calls for Safer, Healthier W/A Region

Justice Minister Calls for Safer, Healthier W/A Region

LRA Real Estate Expansion Project Nets over 20,000 Registered Properties in Bassa, Margibi

LRA Real Estate Expansion Project Nets over 20,000 Registered Properties in Bassa, Margibi

Discussion about this post

Recommended

AYT Endorses Resolution, Calls for Youth Participation in AU Pan-African Parliament

AYT Endorses Resolution, Calls for Youth Participation in AU Pan-African Parliament

5 months ago
DADP CEO urges Liberian government to prioritize job creation in agriculture sector

DADP CEO urges Liberian government to prioritize job creation in agriculture sector

2 months ago

    Connect with us

    Home

    About Us

    Investigations

    News

    Politics

    Business 

    Editorial

    Contact Us

    Privacy Policy

    Advertise with us

    Stay updated with the latest news by subscribing to our WhatsApp Channel

    Click Here to Subscribe

    © 2024 THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement. 

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • Investigations
    • News
      • National News
      • County News
      • Health
      • Environment
      • Human Interest
      • Press Release
      • Media
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Editorial
    • Commentary
    • Op-Ed
      • Opinions
      • Letters from the Editor
      • Letters to the Editor
    • Fact Checks
    • Lifestyle
      • Entertainment
    • Sports

    © 2023