Liberia’s forests will be put in the hands of “ruthless logging companies” if the country’s Legislature ratifies three forest management contracts presented by the president in February, the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) environmentalist group has said.
In a recent briefing note, the SDI said the Liberian Forest Development Agency (FDA) lacked the capacity to manage the forestry sector, serve as an enforcement agency of forestry law, and regulate commercial logging activities.
“If the Liberian Legislature ratifies these agreements it will be putting the forest in the hands of logging companies that have demonstrated an ability to manipulate the FDA, circumvent the law and an agency that has proven it lacks the integrity and capacity to enforce the laws governing the sector,” the SDI said.
The contracts would have “disastrous consequences” for the long-term sustainability of Liberia’s forests.
The Prince’s Rainforest Project has said it would work with the Liberian government if it took a more holistic, rather than industrial, approach to logging.
Greenpeace has called for an overhaul of the system and FDA personnel, and public consultation on alternative uses for the country’s forests.
