Chairman Manobah in his official remarks on behalf of the Board of Commissioners and staff of the LLA called on Law Makers to always consider the Land Rights Act and communities interest when signing concessions. He said this will buttress the efforts and commitment President George M. Weah attached to Liberia’s land reform. The LLA Chairman further called on the communities and county authorities across Liberia to continue to work with the LLA so that more communities can obtain Statutory Title to their customary lands. Chairman Manobah praised the LLA technical team headed Julius Kawa, Director, Land Policy and Planning, and the County Land Administrators (CLAs) across the four project counties who worked with Mr. Kawa for the smooth implementation and completion of the project. He said this has demonstrated that the LLA can do more if the needed technical and financial supports are given. He stated his desire as head of the LLA is to work tirelessly to ensure that communities are issued deed to their lands.
“The LLA is thankful to the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund family for providing the fund. The law signed by H. E. President Dr. George M. Weah was never a mistake instead a hope that Liberians will never again be seen as squatters but as owners of their lands. It is also important for all to know that Liberia civil war was not just based on power. The war was based on land as well. This is why we all must work to maintain the peace we now enjoy today. It will interest you all to note that in 2017 H. E. President Dr. Weah made a promise to sign the Land Rights Law if given the opportunity to serve as President. To fulfill said promise, the President on September 19, 2018, signed the Land Rights Law. We are thankful, hence women and youth across the country remains grateful to the President. Let me also extend thanks to our implementing partners (the CSOs/CBOs) for working with us. We are aware that the implementation of the LRA rest on the shoulders of us all, hence it is my hope we can collectively seek the interest of the Liberian people as we drive towards Liberia’s land reform. It is very important to add that this could not have been possible without the support of the Superintendents across the four project counties and our traditional leaders. To you all we extend our gratitude.” He added.
The LLA Boss further praised the National Bureau of Concessions Director General Atty. Edwin N. Dennis and his technical team for walking with the LLA side-by-side during the implementation and completion of the project. He used the time to appeal to donors to help the LLA carry out these and many other land related activities, especially awareness raising which will help mitigate land conflict in the country.
In his remarks, UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Louis Kuukpen, applauded the LLA Chairman Atty. J. Adams Manobah for working tirelessly over the years as Liberia drive towards land reform. He said the UNDP system is grateful to the LLA boss and the Board of Commissioners under whose leadership such a great milestone was achieved. He further stated that the completion of the project is a direct demonstration of the President’s commitment to the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). The UNDP Resident Representative expressed great hope in the leadership of Chairman Manobah thus commending him for ensuring that all aspect of the PAPD was maintained through the project implementation.
“Today event is a clear manifestation of the President’s commitment to the four cardinal principles and spirits of the Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). The PAPD focused on giving power to the people, creating an economy that is resilience and jobs, sustaining the peace, and governance and transparency. It is important to also know that the utilization of the land will not only be a source of livelihood but as well a source of economic empowerment and job creation.” He added.
He further said that in line with sustaining the peace, it is important to note that the issuance of the deeds comes to restore peace, harmony, tranquility and co-existence amongst families and communities, thus the governance aspect is where the communities are now with their deeds which provide ownership and transparency in terms of preventing dispute and conflict in the future. Mr. Kuukpen expressed great excitement thereby praising the LLA Chairman for exercising a visionary leadership in said direction which has demonstrated that the LLA is working to ensure that the President’s Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) which is the medium development plan of Liberia is achieved. He added that the project was jointly supported by the United Nation’s Peacebuilding Support Program (PSP) through the United Nation Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). He extended thanks to the technical team of the LLA headed by Mr. Kawa for successfully conducting the survey without dispute and conflict.
“The UNDP and the UN family are specially delighted for the contribution this project has brought to the communities, especially for the sustenance of peace, social cohesion and reconciliation at the community level which is the primary objective of the Peace Building Fund (PBF). We called on the Community Land Development and Management Committee members to ensure that the deeds are protected and place at the deposer of all members of the community. This will enable community members to be aware of this significant milestone which will help to sustain the peace and mitigate any potential conflict”. He said.
Meanwhile, Nimba County Superintendent, Hon. Nelson Korquoi, firstly extended gratitude to President Dr. George Manneh Weah for signing into law the Land Rights Act that gives rights to the people of Liberia. He said the presentation of the deeds is a clear indication that Liberia is gradually driving toward land reform, peace and economic empowerment for all. Superintendent Korquoi said the completion of the project has brought great joy to the people of Nimba, particularly the people of Gbeyee and Veiyee Clans.
For his part, the Director General of the National Bureau of Concession (NBC), Hon. Atty. Edwin N. Dennis, thanked President Weah for his commitment to the people of Liberia. He said the President has always live up to his promises hence his promise made in 2017 was fulfilled in 2018 when he signed into law the Land Rights Act.
“Today, it would have been a great joy and happiness for all of us to sit and witness the President present these deeds to the communities. However, due to some preference issues the President could not come. It is indeed a great joy to see the community people themselves expressing joy and happiness. Therefore, let me use this moment to again extend thanks and appreciation to the LLA Chairman for demonstrating a high-level of leadership during the implementation and completion of the project.” He added.
The NBC boss further extended thanks to the United Nation Peacebuilding Fund and the entire UN System for the support. He said it is hope that such will be extended to other communities in the near future.
However, representatives from the project communities when speaking applauded the UN-PBF family for providing the funding. They further called on the United Nation Peacebuilding Family to continue to work with the LLA so that other communities in Liberia can obtain deeds to their lands. They further extended special thanks to the LLA Chairman for living his words.
In a joint statement, Mr. Alphonso Henries and Nyan Flomo, representatives of Civil Society Groups Working on land, extended thanks to the LLA for such milestone achievement. Mr. Henries who spoke on behalf of the team said this is a plus and a hope for Liberia’s land sector as the country drive toward land reform. He said CSOs in Liberia will continue to work with the LLA so that the right thing is done in the sector.
The ceremony brought together members of the Civil Society Working Group on Land Rights in Liberia, local authorities, representatives from UN-Women, PBF, WFP, UNDP, LLA, NBC, CLDMCs members from the project counties, traditional leaders, journalists, including women and youths.
However, communities that were issued deeds include, Zodua, Zogbo, and Manobah Clans, Kao and Lower Kao clans, Twainsiebo clan, Gbeyee and Veiyee clans. The project was effectuated in 2020 and lasted for three years up to 2023. One major objective of project was the assist the selected communities go through the process of customary land formalization as prescribed by the Land Rights Acts. The project mainly focused on communities on whose land concession are currently operating to be able to ease the level disenchantment between the communities and the concession. During the implementation of the project, the issue of women land rights and involvement in decision makings regarding land was another priority intervention which the project achieved and also livelihood for the sustainability of these women was provided through the provision of village loan.
The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) is an autonomous agency of Government established by an Act of the Legislature on October 5, 2016. The LLA Act mandates the LLA to develop policies on a continuous basis, understand actions and implement programs in support of good land governance, land administration and management. On October 10, 2018, the Government of Liberia published the Land Rights Act (LRA), thus making the law effective. The enactment of the law by the Legislature and its subsequent approval by the President of Liberia on September 19, 2018, was a fundamental step in the land reform process of Liberia.
The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) is an autonomous agency of Government established by an Act of the Legislature on October 5, 2016. The LLA Act mandates the LLA to develop policies on a continuous basis, understand actions and implement programs in support of good land governance, land administration and management. On October 10, 2018, the Government of Liberia published the Land Rights Act (LRA), thus making the law effective. The enactment of the law by the Legislature and its subsequent approval by the President of Liberia on September 19, 2018, was a fundamental step in the land reform process of Liberia.
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Written By: Emmanuel Chedeh Davis - Communication & Outreach Officer, LLA
