The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) was established by an Act of the Legislature in October 2016, thus consolidating all land related functions previously performed by key land administration agencies, such as the Department of Lands, Survey and Cartography (DLSC) under the former Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, and the Deed and Title Registry of the Center for National Document Record Agency (CNDRA). Section 45.1 and Section 6.2 of the LLA Act mandates the LLA to administer the affairs of the Authorities and establish County Land Offices (CLOs) necessary for the proper conduct of business across the fifteen subdivision of the Republic of Liberia.
However, in fulfilment of the Government of Liberia (GoL) decentralization policy (taking efficient and effective service delivery to the people), the LLA received support from the just ended World Bank supported Liberia Land Administration Project (LLAP) to renovate five (5) offices in Bomi, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Bong and Lofa Counties, respectively. The renovation of the five offices is to help strengthen the services of the LLA in the five selected counties in other to meet the public quest to obtain good land service and delivery.
Further, at the end of the renovation of the five county land offices, the Government of Sweden through the Inclusive Land Administration and Management Project (ILAMP) which is being implemented by Lantmätariet, the Swedish Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authority, has provided support for the electrification, furnishing, equipping and training of LLA staff within the five selected counties to provide efficient and effective land service delivery to the public.
The one-day event brought together staff of the LLA Lofa County Land Office (CLO), local authority, traditional leaders, representative from Lantmätariet/ILAMP, women and youth groups, student bodies and residents within the county, donors and partners, representatives of CSOs land sector working group, including members of the joint security council and scores of local journalists in the county.
LLA delegation headed by Hon. Atty. J. Adams Manobah, Sr., Chairman, LLA, comprised of Cllr. Kula L. Jackson, Commissioner, Land Policy and Planning, and some relevant technical staff from the head quarter of the LLA.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hon. William Tamba Kamba, Sr., Superintendent, Lofa County, praised the LLA for the level of consistency and commitment attached to enhancing and delivering land services across the fifteen subdivision of Liberia. Superintendent said the LLA continue to perform beyond the expectation of the Liberian people. He said decentralization of land services, including functions of the LLA is key to national government, thus, it is now time other line ministries and agencies of government starts to do same. He further called on the public to now engage the office of the LLA in the county for all land related services.
“I am proud to be here today. Truth be told, I personally monitored the renovation of this building, hence I saw the level of work and the money spent to make this building to look like what it is today. Therefore, I am confident to state that Lofa County remains grateful and committed to working with the LLA to providing the needed support. In this regard, I want to say that on behalf of the people and leadership of Lofa County, I want to thanks to you the partners for making finance available for the long-awaited dream to become a reality. He added.
However, during the ceremony, Maria Brander, Lantmätariet Communication Expert assigned to Liberia to implement the ILAMP project expressed great joy for the level of work done. She praised technical team for job well done. “We are proud to see this day becoming a reality. Such a great achievement for the LLA. I hope every staff of the LLA will embrace this and applaud themselves for such a great job. The Board of Commissioners of the LLA headed by Chairman Manobah must be very proud to see this becoming a reality. On behalf of the Lantmätariet, ILAMP team and the people of Sweden, I am grateful to extend thanks and appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly to ensuring that this become a success. She said.
Also speaking at the dedication of the office, LLA Chairman Hon. Atty. J. Adams Manobah, Sr., on behalf of the Board of Commissioners and staff of the LLA, extended thanks and appreciation to the World Bank and the people of Sweden through Lantmätariet implemented Inclusive Land Administration and Management Project (ILAMP). Chairman Manobah called on staff of the LLA in the county to continue to work smoothly and efficiently with the local authority in the county. The land he said belongs to the people, thus the implementation of the law must be able to meet the needs of the people. Chairman Manobah said with the passage of the law communities with or without deeds becomes owners of their customary land.
He further asserted that it is now time for the ordinary Liberian living in Lawalazu or Selega experience good land service delivery as it is being done at the head office of the LLA in Montserrado County. The LLA boss called on all to help the institution in bringing to the spot light those who are engaging in acts that undermines the future of Liberia’s land sector.
“Honorable Superintendent let me end my telling you thanks for the level of commitment and effort applied to get us (LLA) thus far. I am confident that we will deliver as expected by our people. We do not have it all. As we strive towards doing more, it is my hope that our partners will help do some of what is best of the sector as we engage national government. Land reform is not an event thus it is a process; hence it is a process we are committed to. Our doors remain opened and ready to attend to any issue that is beyond the local office. He added.
The objective of the opening was to demonstrate national government’s commitment toward decentralizing land services throughout the country.
For all your land matters kindly contact the LLA offices across the fifteen subdivisions of Liberia. You can also visit our website at www.lla.go.lr for more information.
Reported By: Emmanuel Chedeh Davis - Communication & Outreach Officer, LLA
