LACRA reclaims Bong County estate, resolves 50-year land dispute

Published: August 4, 2025

Gbarnga, Bong County –The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA) today announced the successful resolution of a long-standing land dispute involving its estate in Bong County. The peaceful resolution, which was reached after intensive negotiations, allows LACRA to reclaim a significant portion of the property originally acquired by the defunct Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC) in the 1970s.

The Bong County Estate, which spans 430 acres, was subject to over five years of unsuccessful negotiations under two previous Director Generals, Dr. John Flomo and Mr. Christopher Sankolo. Upon his appointment, Acting Director General Dan Torkamawon Saryee, Sr. prioritized the reclamation of the entity’s properties, making the resolution of this dispute a key objective.

“This is a major step forward for LACRA and the agricultural sector of Liberia,” said Acting Director General Saryee. “By making the reclamation of our properties a top priority, we are not only restoring the integrity of our assets but also laying the groundwork for significant investment and job creation in Bong County.”

The resolution was brokered with the invaluable assistance of Bong County Land Administrator, Ms. Amelia Cassell. The LACRA negotiating team, headed by Director Saryee and supported by Deputy Director General for Finance Adolphus Forkpa and other dedicated staff, engaged in constructive dialogue with the families involved. Following the negotiations, a permanent agreement was reached today.

The property, which was severely encroached on from its original size of over 600 acres, still contains valuable assets including warehouses, guest houses, office facilities, existing palm and coffee farms, and fish ponds. The reclamation of this estate unlocks vast opportunities for LACRA to create jobs and boost local cocoa, coffee, and oil palm farming for area residents.

Leaders of the affected families expressed their gratitude to the LACRA leadership for the peaceful conclusion of the dispute. “We thank Director Saryee and his team for their commitment to a fair and lasting solution,” said a family representative. “We look forward to partnering with LACRA and benefiting from the new investments this will bring to our community.”