CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia– Sinoe County District #1 Representative Thomas Romeo Quioh has petitioned the House of Representatives to summon key government and conservation stakeholders over the controversial expansion of Sapo National Park. Quioh argues that the government’s push to enlarge the park is unjust, as local communities who have long depended on the land for survival continue to be denied rightful benefits from conservation efforts.
By Siaway T. Miapue, contributing writer
In his formal communication to the House, the lawmaker urged plenary to invite the Minister of Justice, the Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Deputy Managing Directors for Community Affairs, Operations, and Conservation, as well as the Country Directors of Flora & Fauna International (FFI) and Conservation International (CI). These officials, he stressed, must explain why the government is “compelling locals to evacuate their ancestral lands without just compensation or alternative livelihoods.”
A History of Displacement
Sapo National Park, Liberia’s first protected area, was established in 1983 on land historically occupied by the Sapo people. Covering 1,804 square kilometers, it is one of West Africa’s last remaining primary rainforests and home to over 125 mammal species and nearly 600 bird species, according to reports. While the park was initially 1,308 km², the government expanded it in 2003, displacing more communities in the process.
For generations, locals relied on the forest for farming, hunting, fishing, and traditional medicine. While these activities were considered environmentally harmful, they were the only means of survival for residents. Now, with plans to further extend the park’s buffer zone by an additional 3 km², Rep. Quioh contends that the government’s approach continues to “suppress the self-actualization” of local communities.
Who Really Benefits?
The lawmaker also raised concerns over international funding for conservation projects in Liberia. He argued that while donor partners have pumped millions into protecting Sapo Park, local communities remain trapped in extreme poverty. “The international bodies managing these funds are the direct beneficiaries, while the people who have lived on this land for centuries remain marginalized,” he stated.
His claim is validated by a 2023 investigative report by the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building titled Illegal Mining, Limited Logistics Threaten Conservation at Sapo National Park. In this report, several residents, including Samuel Toweh of Korjayee-1, revealed that the lack of employment opportunities continues to force locals and others to enter the forest as a means of survival.
Toweh acknowledged that the park is a protected area but argued that only the government benefits from its resources, not the communities. “The government is benefiting and not the citizens. So, that is the reason we entered the park to benefit, but with jobs, we will not go in the park,” he said.
Steven Wiayan, Clan Chief of Korjayee, echoed Toweh’s concerns. He stated that the government has not been providing the necessary support to their communities.
Chief Wiayan highlighted the lack of essential services such as safe drinking water, schools, and health facilities.
“We gave the park to them long ago, since 1983, and nothing has been done. So, they must change their mind to bring development in this area, to bring development around the park and to empower our children to get work so we can put hands together and mind this park,” Chief Wiayan said.
Rep. Quioh, in his communication, insists that a sustainable conservation model must balance three key factors: conservation, community, and commerce (3Cs). This, he believes, can be achieved through community engagement, patrolling, capacity building, and alternative livelihood programs that provide economic opportunities for affected residents.
House Takes Action
Following the submission of his communication, the House of Representatives forwarded the matter to the Committees on Tourism, Internal Affairs, Agriculture, and Forestry. The committees have been given two weeks to investigate and report back to the plenary.
The controversy surrounding Sapo National Park is not new. Past conservation efforts have sparked tensions between the government, conservation groups, and locals who see their eviction as an infringement on their rights. With Rep. Quioh’s latest push, pundits believe the debate over conservation and community rights in Liberia is set to intensify in the coming weeks.
