The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) has been dragged ex-diplomat, Isaac Richmond Anderson, to court.
Mr. Anderson is said to be connected with the unlawfully harvested logs recently arrested by in three trucks conveying a total of four containers of Ekki logs (Lophira allata) in Bomi and Gbarpolu Counties.
As a probe deepens into the deal, the FDA in addition to those already sued has suspended two rangers, Edward Jallah and Varney Marshall, who are accused of facilitating and involvement in illegal logging.
The FDA has subjected the rangers to an initial administrative investigation which will inform further administrative and legal actions.
The Managing Director of the FDA, C Mike Doryen, was emphatic about his quest to ensure that all staffers of the FDA are committed to the core mandate of sustainably managing Liberia’s forest.
He reemphasized his commitment to robustly implement the FDA’s mandate of sustainably managing Liberia’s rich forest estates and signaled a caveat that any proven misconduct of his staff will be dealt with robustly.
The Managing Director reiterated his stance on stern actions against companies operating outside the forestry regulatory framework.
MD Doryen has authorized the commencement of administrative and legal proceedings against Sing Africa Plantation. Sing Africa Plantation, a logging Company operating the Bluyeama Community Forest in Lofa and Gbarpolu Counties, harvested logs outside its Concession boundaries and attempted to process them through the forestry Chain of Custody System.
In similar administrative action, the FDA has taken a step to further strengthen its law enforcement activities by recalling the Manager of its Forest Law Enforcement Division, Isaac Raily who has already been replaced by Mr. Ali Kia who has a wealth of experience and training in Law Enforcement.
The FDA sees this administrative restructuring as critical for increasing the integrity and effectiveness of its Law Enforcement programs.
Meanwhile, the FDA has continued to ensure that companies in the forest sector comply with forestry laws and regulations.
