Liberia Government Takes Steps to Address the payment of forest community Arrears from land rental fees.
Monrovia, Liberia – February 26, 2025 – The Government of Liberia has made a some move towards fulfilling its financial obligations to communities affected by forestry concessions, by paying US $97,768 to the National Benefit Sharing Trust Board (NBSTB). This payment is part of the outstanding amounts earmarked in the 2024 budget allocation, reflecting the new administration’s commitment to address long-standing financial arrears.
As of December 2023, under the previous administration, the government owed these communities a staggering US $6.23 million. This debt had been a point of contention, particularly as the new government, led by President Joseph Nyema Boakai, took office in January 2024. In a bid to settle these arrears payments, the Boakai administration reallocated US $746,292 from the 2023 budget to begin addressing the outstanding payments to the affected communities.
In June 2024, the government paid US $300,000 against this appropriation, leaving a remaining balance of US $446,292 still due to the communities. This situation prompted the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs), along with civil society organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders, to engage proactively with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to advocate for the prompt settlement of these arrears.
On February 19, 2025, NUCFDCs announced that they would initiate a series of advocacy actions if the remaining balance was not paid promptly. This warning underscores the urgency and importance of the issue for the affected communities, which rely on these funds for their development and welfare.
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, a positive update came from the FDA and the MFDP, which informed the National Multi-stakeholders Monitoring Committees (NMSMC) of the Liberia – EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) that the government had indeed paid the aforementioned amount against the 2024 appropriation. However, despite this payment, a total of US $348,524 remains unpaid, representing 47% of the total 2024 allocation.
In the recently approved 2025 national budget, the same appropriation of US $746,292 has been included to continue addressing the arrears owed to these communities.
Andrew Y. Y. Zelemen, Head of Secretariat/National Facilitator and National Program Manager of the NUCFDCs, has called upon the government of Liberia, particularly the MFDP, to expedite the payment of the 2024 balance and to initiate the payments for the 2025 appropriation. “The communities have waited long enough. It is essential that the government acts swiftly to honor its commitments,” he stated.
The ongoing dialogue and advocacy efforts between the government and affected communities highlight the importance of accountability and the need for sustainable management of Liberia’s natural resources. As the government strives to meet its obligations, stakeholders remain hopeful for a resolution that promotes equity and development for all involved.
The NUCFDCs and the affected forest communities will initiate a series of advocacy actions, as previously announced, if the Government of Liberia fails to settle the outstanding payments, particularly the 2024 appropriation, by March 15, 2025. Mr. Zelemen emphasized that the deadline for eligible payments will conclude on March 31, 2025 according to the PFM law.
