Monrovia, Liberia – Logging-affected rural forest-based communities were stopped from receiving their benefits decades ago. To address this issue, the National Forest Reform Law created what it calls the National Benefit Sharing Trust Board to oversee and guarantee that impacted forest-based communities receive their 30% share of land rental payments from local logging companies.
In accordance with section 11g of the Forestry Development Agency (FDA) Reg. 114-10 on funds for CFDCs, 2010, the NBST is required to report to all Community Forestry Development Committees on the financial status of the found every six months with the help of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. Included in the report is the Trust’s revenue and expenses for that particular quarter.
In light of the aforementioned, the National Benefit Sharing Trust Board released its second biannual report on March 27, 2025, which had an impact on the NBST’s 2024 operations. The Board’s National Chairperson, Solomon Peter, presented the report, which stated that it covered the July 1–December 31, 2024, timeframe.
“If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the NBST through its secretariat. The Board guarantees its full cooperation in ensuring that the proceeds from the land rental fees have a positive impact on the lives of the affected Communities,” he stated.
The Board has examined and authorized seven projects, including those in River Cess, Sinoe, Grand Gedeh, and Lofa County, with a combined cost of $32, 273.07 USD during the time under consideration. Three projects have been completed and are awaiting dedication: the construction of a community services center in Voogbadee, FMC-I Sinoe County; the operationalization of a clinic in Zeegar Town, FMC-K River Cess County; and the construction of a guest house in Puto Duo Town, FMC-I Grand Gedeh County. In Dougee Town, FMC-K Grand Gedeh County, the town hall completion project has been finished and dedicated, and the Forkpata School is finished and in use as well.
Through efficient monitoring, the Board has continued to track the development of several initiatives through its Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Committee. The M&E team carried out the last monitoring of the Forkpata school project as well as monitoring trips to the FMC-I Grand Gedeh and Sinoe Countries under the Progect Partnership Agreement (PPA).
The Board collaborated with the National Multi-Stakeholders Monitoring Committee (NMSMC), the Multi-Stakeholders Forest Government and Accountability Project (MFGAP), and the Forest Trends Organization during the evaluation period.
Among the many difficulties the Board faced were the funding gap, the payment of land rental fees, project completion delays, and the Secretariat’s understaff.
Reported by Darius N Karnga
WhatsApp: +231770384988
Email: karngedarius27@gmail.com
