Monrovia, Liberia – March 15, 2025 – In a noteworthy development for forest communities, the Government of Liberia has taken a significant step towards fulfilling its financial obligations under the 2024 National Budget. The National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs) has expressed its appreciation for the government’s recent disbursement of US $685,101.00, which represents 92% of the total US $746,292 appropriated for these communities.
The payment, which covers the period from June 2024 to March 2025, addresses part of the outstanding financial arrears left by previous administrations. As of December 2023, the previous government had accrued a debt of US $6.23 million owed to forest communities affected by large-scale logging operations.
Since assuming office in January 2024, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s administration has prioritized resolving these long-standing issues. In June 2024, the government made an initial payment of US $300,000, with an additional US $385,101 paid recently, leaving a remaining balance of US $61,191. This reflects a commitment to the needs of the people and the responsible management of the country’s natural resources.
The NUCFDCs have lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) for their responsiveness to community needs. The organization emphasizes the importance of commencing payments for the 2025 appropriation, which also includes a budget allocation of US $746,292 aimed at continuing to address the arrears owed to these communities.
“We are grateful to the government for listening to our concerns and making these payments,” said Andrew Y Y Zelemen, the head of the Secretariat/National Facilitator for the NUCFDCs. “We urge the administration to begin the process payment for the 2025 appropriations in a sooner possible time.”
The ongoing dialogue between the government and affected communities highlights the critical need for accountability and sustainable management of Liberia’s natural resources. As the government works to meet its obligations, stakeholders remain hopeful for resolutions that foster equity and development for all involved.
The NUCFDCs, along with the affected forest communities, are committed to collaborating with the government and other partners to ensure a smooth and ongoing payment process, ultimately benefiting the livelihoods of those impacted by logging activities in Liberia.
For information and partnership with the NUCFDCs, contact/follow us at the below info:
NGO Coalition Resources Building, Duarzohn Village
Margibi County, Republic of Liberia
Contacts: +231776791452 / +231 77 748 5964 | +231777385943
Emails: unionofcfdc2016@gmail.com/anniejerrue@gmail.com | zelemenandrew@gmail.com abukamara020@gmail.com
Website: https://www.nucfdc.org/
Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054613262974
YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@NUCFDCs
WhatsApp Page: https://chat.whatsapp.com/I6YksVhGiqq284LzgbAdlI
