By Grace Q. Bryant
The House of Representatives has mandated a joint committee on Mines, Energy, Natural Resources & Environment, WASH and Judiciary, to review a bill seeking the establishment of Paynesville Ecotourism Zone, 2024.
The House’s plenary reached the decision on Thursday, July 4, following a communication from Montserrado County District 5 Representative, Priscilla Abram Cooper.
Representative Cooper said the bill seeks to create an Ecotourism zone that will focus on safeguarding the Paynesville wetland and its diverse range of biodiversity.
She said the proposed zone aims to promote sustainable tourism practices while ensuring the protection and preservation of the natural environment in Paynesville.
“Promote ecotourism by developing and sustaining ecotourism activities that provide educational and recreational opportunities while generating economic benefits for local communities and facilitate scientific research and environmental education program that shall focus on the ecological and cultural significance of the mangrove swamps,” she noted.
She stressed that the bill will develop ecotourism products and programs that will generate employment and livelihood for the local residents concerned, consistent with the preservation and maintenance program of Paynesville wetland.
The Montserrado County lawmaker said the bill emphasizes the importance of balancing economic development with environmental conservation efforts.
According to her, Paynesville’s Wetland and Ecotourism Development Council (PWEDC) shall be established and its membership shall comprise of nine persons of which six shall be statutory including: the Mayor of the City of Paynesville; Ministry of information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism; the Liberia Land Authority; the Environmental Protection Agency; and one member each from the House of Representative and the Liberian Senate from the Paynesville Wetland Communities and three non-statutory members to be appointed by the President of the Republic Liberia: Chairperson of the Council, youth representative and Women representative. A non-statutory members shall serve as Chairman and for the period of the three year.
Rep. Cooper said the Paynesville City shall provide a Secretariat for the Ecotourism Zone including the funding necessary to cover the expenses for the performance of its official functions and activities.
“To do administrative and practical works to lead the ecotourism activities, the Secretariat of Paynesville Wetland Ecotourism Zone is established within the Council. A staff of the City Government, a Community leader and a representative of tourism agency are core members of the Secretariat,” she maintained
She added that the role of each stakeholder in the Secretariat shall be specified in the action plan to be developed by the Secretariat and approved by the Board.
The joint committee, which has been tasked with reviewing the bill, is expected to provide a report within a timeframe of two weeks.
This review process will involve a detailed examination of the proposed legislation, taking into account various factors such as environmental impact, economic feasibility, and legal implications.
Meanwhile, the outcome of such a review will play a crucial role in determining the future of the Paynesville Ecotourism Zone and its potential contributions to both the local community and the broader ecosystem.
