The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and support from UNDP has commenced Customary Land Formalization (CLF) activities in Sixty (60) customary communities across five counties, namely, Grand Gedeh, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Bomi Counties.
The activities which began in Grand Gedeh County (Southeastern Liberia), witnessed great excitement from the local authority, joint security, traditional leaders, chiefs, women and youth groups of B'Hai Administrative District, after four Clans (Tian Dougee, Marbo #1, B'Hai Nicko and Duo Clans), received Community-Self Identification (CSI) Certificates after the completion of activities required for CSI Certificate.
Speaking during the certification ceremony in B'Hai Nicko Town, B'Hai Administrative District, Hon. Jammie Zkannie Kinyea, Acting Commissioner, B'Hai Administrative District, expressed thanks and appreciation to the LLA and the government of Liberia for its intervention. Commissioner Kinyea further stated that he and his people remained committed to working with the LLA and the government of Liberia to ensure that the selected Clans receive their Statutory Land Deeds.
"We have serious town-to-town, village-to-village and district-to-district land issues. This is serious and your intervention is a blessing to us. If the peace of our nation will be sustained, land disputes and conflicts must be taken seriously. The LLA must be given the needed support. This is why I am grateful to the UN Peacebuilding Fund and UNDP for the funding and support." He added.
He used the occasion to extend thanks to the technical team of the LLA for exercising high-level commitment and patience during the implementation of the activities required for CSI Certificate.
"The land is local. The land is customary. The land is traditional. Rural land holds the largest portion of Liberia's rich and mineral-filled land. I am so happy today. My people are happy. I say a big thank you to the Land Authority. The Land Rights Law must work. We want to get our Deed. We want to benefit from our land. We want our boundary demarcated. This Certificate must not stop here. We are happy that LLA herself has taken over this Deed business.
The community land deed is the power and authority of the community. Because, the protection of our land is the protection of the future of the next generation" Chief Robert Pah, Paramount Chief, Tarwan Chiefdom, B'Hai Administrative District.
Written By: Emmanuel Chedeh Davis - Communication & Outreach Officer, LLA
