A one-day National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting aimed at critically reviewing the level of progress on the management and protection of Liberia’s mangrove forest, including Lake Piso, has ended in Monrovia on August 9, 2023.
Meanwhile, the NSC made numerous recommendations on how to promote the project, named and styled “sustainable management of mangrove forest from Senegal to Benin.” With grant support from the European Union (EU), through Wetlands International, the project is being implemented by Wetlands International Africa (WIA). The project intends to mitigate the encroachment on mangrove forests and ensure that there’s tighter legislation to support the conservation of mangrove forests in Liberia and the sub region. Wetlands International is a global non-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands. Its vision is to see a world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for their beauty, the life they support, and the resources they provide. Mangrove forest, otherwise known as wetland, is a place in which the land is covered by water—salt, fresh, or somewhere in between—either seasonally or permanently. It functions as its own distinct ecosystem. It can be recognized from other types of land or bodies of water, primarily by the vegetation that has adapted to wet soil. In his opening remark, FDA Deputy Managing Director for Operations, Joseph Tally, called for their proper care and management at all times and urged members of the National Steering Committee to work concertedly to ensure the success of the project. He described the conservation of nature as a compelling alternative any well-meaning society should pursue or honor, because according to him, that provides a healthy sanctuary for wildlife. Giving the overview of the meeting, Wetlands International Project Manager for Grand Mano Landscape, Alhaji Malikie Siaka, underscored the relevance of the meeting, given that it provides the platform or space for sharing experiences in the mangrove sector by the stakeholders to make the project a vital contributing factor, as far as the mitigation of climate change is concerned. Giving the project update, he noted that the project operates on two key principles which are direct implementation of the activities by the applicants for the most technical aspect at national or regional activities and grant subsidies for activities at the site level by NGOs, government MDAs, universities, associations and partners, after submitting proposals for grants for field based activities. At the end of the workshop, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to coordinate efforts to make sure that the project meets its intended goal.
