By Stephen N. Tokpah (freelancer)
The Chairperson of the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), Adams Manobah, has launched an appealed to citizens to lobby with their various Representatives for the budget of the LLA to be increased.
The LLA was established by an Act of the National Legislature on October 6, 2016, as an autonomous agency of the government with operational independence, subsumes land functions that were performed by several agencies of the government, including the key land administration agencies Department of Lands, Survey and Cartography of the former Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (MLME), now the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Deeds and Titles Registry of the Center for National Documents Records Agency (CNDRA), and functions of County Land Commissioners from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The Liberia Land Authority’s Chairperson intimated that the LLA has been hugely relying on donor funding in the country and at the same time lauded the effort of those partners for their continued efforts which he said has enabled the Authority to handle land issues effectively and maintained peace in the various communities across the country.
The LLA boss said the Legislature passed the LLA’s Act for government to support it and not the donors solely and noted that it’s now time that the citizens of Liberia take the lead to appeal to their various lawmakers to increase the budget of the LLA.
“So tell your lawmakers to increase the LLA’s budget, because if our budget is increased it will help us to do more work in solving land conflict in the various counties,” Attorney Manobah added.
He believed that if the budget of the LLA is increased it will help the entity to create more awareness and interpret the Land Rights Act and resolve land conflict across the Country.
The LLA’s Chairperson made the appeal in Lower Tengia, Foya District, Lofa County when the LLA and USAID Liberia Land Management Activity (LMA) handed over a Customary Land Deed to the residents of Lower Tengia in the County.
Chairman Manobah who attended the program along with the LLA Commissioner for Oversight, Lofa County, Kula Jackson further called on the local authority and CLDMC members to work in the best interest of the people.
The LLA boss extended thanks to the people of Lower Tengia including the leadership of the Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC) for remaining steadfast during the implementation and completion of the steps and processes required for Customary Land Formalization as enshrined in the Land Rights Act of 2018.
“Land is traditional, and hence, it is with great respect we attached high-level commendation to our elders and chiefs who over the years continue to work with the LLA in resolving land disputes and conflicts. Like I have said, we must always consider the Land Rights Law and communities’ interest when signing concessions,” he added.
The Chairperson further used the occasion to urged residents to put aside their political difference and work together in unity for the development of Liberia.
He emphasized that the development of Liberia cannot be left with government alone; something he said, was time that Liberians put aside their political difference and work for the development of the Country.
The residents applauded the LLA and USAID Liberia Land Management Activity for their commitment and support during the implementation of the project in the community.
The Lower Tengia residents used the occasion to further extend thanks and appreciation to the LLA for its commitment to ensuring that communities across Liberia land can be documented and deeded.
The residents at same time lauded USAID-Liberia for its financial support, and further called on the women, youth, and traditional leaders to celebrate such a great achievement by making sure the land is protected and the interest of all are adhered to.
