By Amos Harris
Paynesville, Montserrado County – May 8, 2025 – The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has significantly escalated its efforts to combat the illegal sale and occupation of vital wetland areas within Montserrado County and its environs. This decisive action, spearheaded by LLA Chairman Samuel Kpakio, aims to safeguard crucial ecosystems, mitigate escalating environmental risks, and ensure the safety and well-being of local communities.
Chairman Kpakio led a comprehensive inspection tour on Thursday, May 8, 2025, strategically visiting several key wetland zones that have been hotspots for unauthorized land transactions and encroachments. These areas included the 72nd Community in Paynesville, Carisbury King Farm, Barnesville, and Clawwell Township, all facing increasing pressure from illegal development.
This robust initiative by the LLA is a direct response to mounting concerns over the proliferation of illegal land deals and the alarming rate of encroachment on these ecologically sensitive areas. These unauthorized activities are major contributing factors to the escalating problems of severe flooding, the destruction of critical wildlife habitats, and overall environmental degradation across the country.
During the on-site inspections, Chairman Kpakio issued a stern warning about the imminent dangers posed by the ongoing rainy season, which he emphasized could dramatically exacerbate the existing environmental risks. He stressed that the continued encroachment on wetlands not only jeopardizes delicate natural ecosystems, which provide essential services like flood control and water filtration, but also presents serious and immediate health risks to the communities residing nearby.
At the King Farm community in Carisbury, the LLA inspection team encountered complex claims of property disputes involving a local church. Disturbing reports indicate that individuals allegedly encroaching on land claimed by the church have caused significant damage to established palm farms and other valuable assets. Furthermore, there were allegations of some individuals within the encroaching group carrying weapons and issuing threats to those asserting the church’s ownership. The LLA has taken a firm stance on this issue, urging all parties involved in the dispute to present verifiable and legally sound ownership documents. To date, the LLA noted that only the church has complied with this crucial request, suggesting a potential lack of legitimate claims from the encroaching parties.
The LLA’s inspection also brought to light significant concerns regarding the construction activities of the Chinese construction firm, Ruixu Concrak. The firm has been observed undertaking substantial building projects within identified wetland areas in Johnsonville and Dixville. This ongoing construction on these protected lands is further complicating already strained conservation efforts and has prompted urgent calls for immediate intervention to prevent irreversible environmental damage in these vulnerable zones. The LLA is expected to engage with Ruixu Concrak to ascertain the legality of their operations and enforce relevant environmental regulations.
In a move towards collaborative solutions, Chairman Kpakio held a crucial meeting with Caldwell Township Commissioner Ibrahim Sapee and other key local officials. The discussions centered on developing and implementing joint strategies for the effective protection of the township’s remaining wetland areas. Chairman Kpakio emphasized the unwavering commitment of the government to prevent and halt all unauthorized construction on these environmentally sensitive lands, underscoring the pivotal role of community leaders in actively safeguarding their local environments and ensuring compliance with land use regulations.
“The rainy season is here, and people building on these wetlands without proper authorization are putting entire communities at risk,” Chairman Kpakio stated emphatically. “We are committed to ensuring that Liberians are safe from the dangers posed by unregulated wetland development. The LLA will not hesitate to take strong action against those who violate land use laws and endanger our environment and our communities.”
The LLA’s intensified efforts are receiving crucial support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), forming a united front in a broader initiative to protect and preserve the remaining wetland ecosystems across Montserrado County and its surrounding areas. This collaborative approach signals a strong government commitment to enforcing environmental regulations, protecting vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of wetland encroachment, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Liberia’s natural resources. The crackdown sends a clear message to illegal developers and land grabbers that their activities will no longer be tolerated, and that the preservation of Liberia’s vital wetlands is a top priority.
Comments are closed.