The delegation attending the farewell ceremony comprised of Cllr. Kula L. Jackson, Commissioner, Land Policy and Planning, LLA, Mr. Aryee K. Williams, Director Administration, Human Resource and Training, LLA, Mrs. Daniella Grey Johnson, Project Director, LLA, D’Siafa Draper, Technical Assistant, Office of the Chairman, LLA, and Emmanuel Chedeh Davis, Communication and Outreach Officer, LLA.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Commissioners (BoC) and staff of the LLA, Hon. Atty. J. Adams Manobah, Sr., Chairman of the LLA, thanked the UNDP outgoing Resident Country Representative Mr. Stephen Rodriques for his support to Liberia land sector. Chairman Manobah said the LLA will forever remember the meaningful achievements made over the years. The LLA boss used the occasion to express thanks and appreciation to the entire UNDP-Liberia family, thus stating that the LLA will continue to engage with the UNDP family as Liberia strive towards land reform.
“We are thankful for your time spent in Liberia. We at the LLA are gratified of your commitment to Liberia land sector. Your role played in the land sector cannot be overemphasized, ranging from your supports to the Land Rights Acts and the LLA to implement said Act. Hence, we have come as a family to extend our appreciations on behalf of the Board of Commissioners and the entire LLA family across the fifteen political subdivisions of Liberia. It is our hope that the relationship we have built will continue.” He stated.
For his part, Mr. Rodriques, UNDP RCR praised the LLA Chairman and members of the Board of Commissioners, including technical staff of the LLA for the level of work that is currently being done in the sector. Mr. Rodriques expressed the need for more support to the LLA, and as well called on all to continue the good work. He said with the level of work being done, the UNDP family can only hope for more across the country.
“I came to Liberia to do a piece of job for my brothers and sisters in Liberia, and since then, I feel that connection to Liberia. Knowing the history of land and its violent side surely calls for all to pay attention to the sector. Mr. Chairman, you and your team are doing tremendously well hence it upon every one of us to appreciate what you are doing and support. I am thankful, hence what we were able to achieve together makes me even more thankful. I am truly proud and deeply touched especially seeing what our partnership has done for Liberia through the LLA. This is a great achievement for the UNDP.” He added.
The Land Rights Act (LRA) signed into law on September 19, 2018 by H.E Dr. George M. Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia and printed into handbill October 10th, 2018, established that customary communities upon the completion of confirmatory survey will be issued Statutory Land Deed. Thus, in a quest to ensure that customary communities obtain their Statutory Land Deeds, the LLA with support from the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) conducted ten (10) confirmatory survey in four counties, namely, Grand Cape Mount, Sinoe, Nimba and Maryland Counties, of which eight statutory deeds were acquired.
The presentation of these deeds to the communities is underway, a grand ceremony is being planned by the UNDP and the LLA to bring together all the project catchment counties and communities along with scores of government officials and eminent citizens who immensely contributed to the historic passage of the LRA and its subsequent implementations that are now directly benefitting the indigenous Liberian Citizens.
Mr. Julius Kawa, Director for Policy, Planning and Program, LLA, when spoken to about the completion of the phase one of the project expressed the need for more communities to benefit. He further stated that funding for the full implementation of the law is a challenge, thus customary communities can benefit from concessions when their lands are formalized. He said though implementing partners are making efforts hence national government through the LLA is working tirelessly to ensure that communities receive deeds to their customary lands.
However, LLA at the end of the event gowned Mr. Rodriques and presented a certificate of appreciation to him as a symbol of the LLA’s gratitude for his humane works in Liberia especially the land sector.
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Reported By: Emmanuel Chedeh Davis - Communication & Outreach Officer, LLA
