Liberia’s House of Representatives Probes FDA Over Reported Deforestation in Montserrado District One
The House of Representatives has mandated its Agriculture and Forest Management Committee to review allegations of illegal deforestation in Montserrado County District 1.
It followed a communication by Montserrado County District 1 Representative, Lawrence Morris.
“I crave the indulgence of the Honorable members of the House of Representatives to invite before this plenary the Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) regarding the consistent and persistent acts of deforestation intended for charcoal burning which is now causing some acts of illegal trespassing and destruction of people’s farmland and properties”, Rep. Morris alerted.
He added that the charcoal burners alleged fees collected by the FDA are not paid into the GOL’s revenue account because of the “flying copy book sheet receipt given/issued to them whenever they pay said amount.
“In view of the above, I do humbly request the citing of the FDA boss along with his deputies to meet with the relevant committee to provide explanations and clarifications regarding these issues that has the propensity to escalate further”, the lawmaker said.
Meanwhile, the committees are expected to advice plenary on the next course of action to take in order to remedy the situation.
