For nearly two decades, the Liberian government has accumulated substantial debts to large-scale logging-affected communities amounting to millions of United States dollars. However, the Joseph N. Boakai administration recently took a significant step towards supporting forest communities by disbursing a substantial payment of rental fees owed to locals.
The government’s recent disbursement of US$685,101.00, representing 92% of the total US$746,292 allocated in the 2024 National Budget, has been viewed as a positive development for forest communities across Liberia.
This payment, covering the period from June 2024 to March 2025, aims to address a portion of the outstanding financial arrears that were left by previous administrations. By December 2023, the previous government had accumulated a debt of US$6.23 million owed to forest communities impacted by large-scale logging activities.
As of last year, the government had an outstanding debt of over US$6 million in land rental owed to Logging-affected communities. Since 2009, logging companies have contributed US$12.9 million in land rental payments for these communities, as outlined in the report by the US-based NGO, Forest Trend.
However, by November of last year, only US$4 million had been transferred to the National Benefit Sharing Trust Board, which oversees the disbursement of funds to locals through the Community Forest Development Committee (CFDC).
According to the National Forestry Reform Law, the fee is calculated based on the concession size, set at US$2.50 for large-scale forest management contracts (FMCs) and US$1.25 for small timber sale contracts (TSCs). The law stipulates that the government should allocate 30 percent of these fees to the communities, marking a departure from past practices where forest resources did not benefit local populations.
Despite these regulations, delays in funds distribution have caused agitation among the affected communities. In both 2021 and 2022, protests were staged by logging-affected communities to demand the government fulfill its obligation to pay their share of land rentals. Demonstrators gathered outside the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, urging the authorities to honor their commitments and warning of potential consequences if these payments were not made promptly.
“Our people are affected everyday by these companies and the only way to give us some relief is by paying us our percentage. So, we demand our benefit, ” Andrew Y Y Zelemen, the head of the Secretariat/National Facilitator for the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs) said during the 2022 protest.
He added that the protest would continue if the money allotted in the budget was not paid by the end of that year. Zelemen promised that they would keep meeting at the Ministry of Finance until their demands were met to alleviate their situation. “We will not leave this place; we will be here every day until our demands are met.”
The group also threatened to petition various embassies near Monrovia for their intervention. “Pay us the 2.7 million you owe us, that’s our simple message,” Zelemen said. “We will remain here daily until our demands are satisfied.”
He stressed the importance of compensation for communities affected by logging operations to alleviate their challenges. In 2022, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government responded to community protests with a modest payment of US$200,000.
While the 2023 National Budget allocated $2.7 million for these payments, only $500,000 has been disbursed so far. The delayed payments have severely impacted logging communities, causing disruptions to essential projects such as schools, clinics, and town halls.
However, since assuming office in January 2024, the administration of President Boakai has shown a dedication to resolving long standing issues. In June 2024, an initial payment of US$300,000 was made by the government, followed by a recent payment of US$385,101, which leaves a balance of US$61,191 remaining.
This demonstrates a commitment to meeting the needs of the population and effectively managing the country’s natural resources. The National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs) expressed gratitude in a statement following the recent payment.
They specifically recognized the new leadership of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) for their responsiveness to community needs.
The group underscores the significance of initiating payments for the 2025 appropriation, which includes a budget allocation of US $746,292 intended to address outstanding payments owed to these communities.
“We are grateful to the government for listening to our concerns and making these payments,” Zelemen said. “We urge the administration to begin the process of payment for the 2025 appropriations in a sooner possible time.”
NUCFDC represents logging communities from Lofa, Gbarpolu, River Cess, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Sinoe, River Gee, Grand Kru, and Maryland. Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties complete the list.
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.
Stakeholders have consistently cautioned the government about withholding communities’ funds, citing the potential for creating significant problems.
Dr. Arthur Blundell, author of a report published by the US-based NGO Forest Trend, emphasized that failing to distribute land rental payments could not only negatively impact the forestry sector but also jeopardize the rule of law and hinder community development nationwide.
“A failure to share land rental payments risks undermining not just the forestry sector, and the rule of law in Liberia, but the development of communities across the country,” he said.
It was after the release of the Forest Trend report that the government promptly paid US$300,000, a move welcomed by Blundell. However, he urged the government to fulfill the remaining 60 percent of the budget allocation and settle outstanding payments from the previous fiscal year.
Blundell called on President Boakai to exhibit genuine leadership by addressing historical injustices and supporting the development of rural communities affected by industrial logging–and the recent substantial payment may be viewed as a positive step toward meeting Blundell’s expectations.
