By Christian Appleton
Harper City, Maryland County – June 16, 2025 – The Liberia Land Authority (LLA), under the leadership of Chairman Hon. Samuel F. Kpakio, successfully concluded a crucial high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Harper City, Maryland County, on Monday, June 16, 2025. This engagement, part of the LLA’s ongoing six-county tour, was held at the county’s administration building and focused on strengthening inter-agency collaboration, enhancing land governance, and tackling the escalating land-related challenges in the region.
The visit follows a June 9 press release on the LLA’s official Facebook page, which highlighted this phase as a pivotal step in the Authority’s nationwide outreach strategy. Chairman Kpakio, accompanied by a technical delegation, engaged with a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Maryland County Superintendent’s Office, local LLA officials, women’s groups, the Ministry of Justice, Harper City Corporation, the General Services Agency, and various media institutions.
Upon their arrival, the LLA team received a warm welcome from Hon. T. Tabie Thompson, representing the County Superintendent’s Office. Mr. Varney A. Sheriff, LLA Director for Administration and Human Resources, outlined the core objectives of the visit: fostering inter-agency coordination, bolstering dispute resolution frameworks, and raising public awareness on land rights and tenure.
Key issues extensively discussed during the meeting included operational challenges faced by the LLA County Office, the pervasive problem of double-selling of land by landowners, illegal surveying practices by some individuals, and inadequate enforcement of existing land laws. A significant concern raised was the growing influx of Burkinabe nationals into Maryland County, reportedly occupying customary lands without due process. This situation is said to be exacerbating local tensions and jeopardizing land tenure security within the community.
Chairman Kpakio expressed profound appreciation to the Maryland County leadership for their unwavering support to the local LLA office. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to land reform and national development, aligning with the vision of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. “We live in an era of progress, led by His Excellency President Joseph Boakai, who has demonstrated leadership and maturity. We want to follow that path—maturity, responsibility, and peace-building within the framework of the ARREST Agenda,” Kpakio stated.
Marking his 117th day in office since assuming the chairmanship in February 2025, Hon. Kpakio emphasized that the LLA Board of Commissioners, including Uriah Garsinii of the Land Use and Management Department, is committed to steering the institution in a new direction. “There will be no business as usual,” Kpakio declared. “We must work in harmony, particularly in the land sector. If land issues are not handled carefully, they could lead to unrest. But with unity and cooperation, we can achieve a better land administration.”
Hon. T. Tabie Thompson lauded County Land Administrator Robert H. Moore for his dedicated efforts in resolving disputes and enhancing the visibility of land governance. Thompson stressed the importance of public awareness: “The laws are there, but awareness is lacking. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. We must establish community-level land committees and ensure that only licensed surveyors are engaged. Otherwise, development will be undermined.” He also advocated for a stronger partnership between the LLA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), especially concerning the enforcement of regulations on wetlands across Liberia.
Mrs. Lucy Jappay Momo, a women’s leader, passionately called for increased awareness campaigns on land ownership procedures. “We have a lot of problems. People don’t understand the land buying process, and women especially are misled. We need education on powers of attorney and letters of administration,” she urged.
Representing the Harper City Corporation, Mr. Isaac Weah recommended a full inventory of Burkinabe occupants to clarify their legal status and the origins of their land use, noting concerns that some local residents might be facilitating these illegal land transactions.
Following the productive engagement in Harper City, the LLA delegation is scheduled to continue its nationwide tour with upcoming visits to Grand Kru and Sinoe Counties, further solidifying its commitment to effective land governance across Liberia.
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