By Bill W. Cooper
The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) yesterday officially launched its radio program dubbed “Land Matters” as means to ensure proper awareness about the Land Rights Act (LRA) across the country.
With support from the Swedish Government and the World Bank, the LLA radio program is being launched under the theme: “Ensuring Land Rights for all Liberians.”
Additionally, the launching of the initiative held yesterday at the LLA in Monrovia brought together various stakeholders from the Land sector including a Representative from the host Radio Station, Freedom Communication Network, as well as the LLA Chairman among others.
Officially launching the initiative, the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) Chairman, Atty. J. Adams Manobah stated that the launching of the LLA radio program is intended to enhance and increase massive awareness about the LRA across Liberia.
According to him, the program will also help inform the populace about the workings of the LLA in relation to its statutory mandate or responsibility in resolving land conflicts across the country.
He indicated that with the huge number of land related conflicts in Liberia, he believes that massive and sufficient awareness to inform citizens of their rights to land ownership in Liberian can never be overemphasized, and as such, with the introduction of the LLA’s first radio series, said awareness is achievable.
Atty. Manobah however further alarmed about the challenges they are being confronted with at the LLA ranging from inadequate budget support as well as other line Ministries and Agencies’ interference with the workings of the LLA, something he said are somehow undermining their effort.
Giving an overview of the radio program, the LLA Communications and Outreach Officer, Emmanuel C. Davis further revealed that the program which is expected to commence following the launching is a one year project subject to renewal.
“This Program is intended to last for the period of one year, subject to extension by both parties. But in addition to that, we will also do a review of our progress report after every six months to ensure the success of the program,” he said.
According to him, due to limited capacity, they will also do a selection of some counties as means of decentralization, while at the same time also disclosed that the program will be aired in various vernaculars for Liberians in rural Liberia.
He added, “Aside from that, this program will not be the normal radio program because we will also be going in various communities with our outside broadcast crew informing Liberians about their rights to own land especially women.”
ILAMP Project Manager, Christopher Byren, via mobile lauded the LLA and team for the initiative, while at the same time pledged his institution’s fullest support in ensuring the success of the program.
