SINOE — The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) Customary Land Division, in collaboration with the Forestry Development Authority, has commenced a 20-day Customary Land Stakeholder Engagement Symposium on the Customary Land Formalization (CLF) process around the Proposed Kwa National Park in Sinoe County. The symposium is sponsored by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) fund.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Peajadoe-EMI Town, Mr. Ezekiel B. Weah from the Customary Land Division and Department of Land Administration, emphasized that the engagement is intended to address matters related to the CLF process in Tonee, Peajadoe, Planhsonjah, and Judo Administrative Districts in Sione County.
He urged community members to remain peaceful when identifying their borders or boundaries during the CLF process. Mr. Weah also expressed gratitude to the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF), USAID, and the Forestry Development Authority for their extensive support.
Additionally, Mr. Weah reaffirmed the Chairman and the Board of Commissioners of the LLA’s commitment to upholding the Land Right Act of 2018 in Liberia. He noted that the engagement would also address the formalization of the buffer zone and other important processes and procedures for formalizing customary land rights to key stakeholders as required by the Land Rights Law of 2018.
Madam Toushi Itoka, a National Consultant for the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, mentioned that her institution was requested by the Liberian government to lead the gazettement process of the proposed Kwa National Park (PKNP). “We began the process, but we could not continue because we needed to complete the Customary Land Formalization process for communities around the proposed park before proceeding. That is why we are here with the LLA, FDA, and our partner USAID to inform you about the process,” she explained.
Madam Itoka revealed that WCF is an organization working for the conservation of biodiversity and the inclusion of local communities in natural resource management in West Africa. It is currently supporting the gazettement process for the proposed park in Sinoe County, Liberia. She stated that although they are leading the gazettement process, they want the communities to complete the CLF and secure a deed for their land before finalizing the gazettement package.
USAID Natural Resources Project Manager, Mr. Saah A. Davis, Jr., praised the Liberia Land Authority and its partners for organizing the symposium. He noted the importance of defining the scope of land formalization for customary lands through the collaboration of the LLA and the Forestry Development Authority.
Before the enactment of the Land Rights Act (LRA) in 2018, the issue of land tenure across forest landscapes was unclassified, as ownership of forests was granted ambiguities by the government through the Community Rights Law with Respect to Forest Lands (CRL).
The Land Rights Act (LRA) recognizes proposed protected areas and those existing before its enactment as generally considered Government Land.
The ongoing stakeholder engagement in the Customary Land Formalization process around the Proposed Kwa National Park in Sinoe County commenced recently and is expected to conclude on October 2, 2024.
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