Monrovia, Liberia, March 9, 2025 – In a pressing appeal for justice and accountability, the government of Liberia is facing mounting pressure from forest communities over significant unpaid allocations from the 2024 National Budget. A recent payment of US $97,768.00 has left a staggering US $348,524.00 still owed to these communities, igniting concerns about the government’s commitment to uphold its promises and responsibilities.
The National Union of Community Forest Development Committees (NUCFDCs) has been vocal about the delay in payments, raising alarms during recent meetings. As the government’s Public Financial Management Policy (PFMP) stipulates that any unpaid budget amounts must be settled by the end of March 2025, NUCFDCs’ leadership is increasingly anxious that their funds may vanish into bureaucratic limbo.
“The NUCFDC leadership is worried. It feels as if the government is dragging its feet on these payments, which are vital for our development and sustainability,” expressed Andrew Zelemen, the Head of Secretariat and National Facilitator, reflecting the sentiments shared by many. The delay has sparked fears that the government’s commitment to live up to the National Forestry Reform Law of 2016, which called for forest benefit sharing with communities, is faltering, despite previous assurances of “business not as usual.”
Further complicating matters, the community’s frustrations are compounded by the knowledge that the window for securing these funds is rapidly closing. “We did not expect this government to continue treating communities in this manner. Our calls for action have gone on and on with little or no attention,” lamented another community advocate.
In light of the ongoing inaction, the NUCFDCs is mobilizing to express their dissatisfaction. They have outlined a series of potential actions, including declaring a stay away from all government-called meetings, including the EU-Liberia VPA National Multi-stakeholders Monitoring Committee (NMSMC), and staging mass protests targeting the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
“This is not just about money; it’s about our dignity and the promises made to us as citizens,” one protest organizer stated firmly. “We will not remain silent while our voices are ignored. Enough is enough. The government must act swiftly and decisively. This is not a joke; we are serious. We slow down because they told us that things would be settled, and they paid the US $97,765 at the time we made our plan. But it looks that the government is not willing to do the remaining payment, and for this we will not sit back; we will continue to advocate for our rights.”
As the first quarter of 2025 comes to an end by the end of March, the urgency for resolution intensifies. The community is left wondering when they will see the funds they rightfully deserve and what impact this delay will have on their future projects and well-being.
The situation remains fluid, and the spotlight is on the government to deliver on its promises before the deadline looms large. The fate of the forest communities hangs in the balance, awaiting timely action and resolution from their leaders.
