According to a press release issued recently and signed by Edillius Barbue, a member of the a Group of Citizens, ‘’Chicken Farm Neighborhood Dwellers’’ residing in Jacob’s town, Paynesville City are calling on the Government of Liberia and International Partners to once again intervene in what they described as the massive degradation of the Mangrove Forest along the Mesurado River in Chicken Farm Jacob Town .
They alleged that a group of unscrupulous individuals led by Jacob Morris and Albert Tyler have begun brushing the Mangrove Forest to sell the land for $100 to $200 per house spot .
By the Intervention of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Forestry Development Authority, the Concerned dwellers said , the government will prevent flood, sand mining, and the destruction of wildlife.
In a communication addressed to the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Prof. Wilson Tarpleh , the residents complained that some these individuals slowed down their operation in 2021 but have resumed aggressive destruction of the Mangrove trees for the purpose of selling the swamp land.
The Chicken Farm Community has repeatedly suffered from property damage as a result of flood when the Montserrado River overflows due to the clearing of the Mangrove roots .
The mangroves support a great variety of swamp animals roaming the wetlands but due to the rapid destruction of the Mangrove trees, the shorebirds that were usually seen making their homes in the branches and taking refuge amongst the roots are finding it difficult to survive.
They are appealing to the authorities to speed up Marine Security along the River Side as safety measures in favor of tons of big and small marine species that thrive along the mangrove coastline and muddy flats supported by the nutrient rich waters.
The Chicken Farm residents pointed out that number of monkeys and crocodiles found resting along the mangrove-lined shores offer a great chance for tourist attraction.
Besides sheltering animals and birds, the residents explained that the mangroves also provide protected areas for fish, crabs, shrimps and all sorts of small critters.
The mangrove forest has been preventing the outflow of the River into the community and providing habitation for animals but is now being destroyed by a group of unknown men who are selling swamp land.
Concern members of the Chicken farm community have called for the speedy intervention of the authority concerned in order to avoid chaos between the illegal land dealers, buyers, sand miners and the illegal sale of swamp land.
Mr. Edilus Barbue, who is the Spokeperson of the residents, said the speedy intervention of the authorities, will intercept misunderstanding among the community dwellers.
There have been reports of chaotic engagement between the so-called swamp owners and resident of the old road, swagger-mo community and the Borbor Island, all along the Montserrado River.
Prominent residents of the chicken farm community, who claimed to represent over 500 residents of the chicken farm, said the continuous destruction of the mangrove is exposing the dry land to flood during the rainy season.
Additionally, the Residents of the Chicken Farm Community also complained that this illegally act could also pose as a setback to the rich ecosystem, tourism and biodiversity
by threatening species of the mangrove swamp and expose those species to the main environment, putting children and inhabitants at greater risk.
The communication addressed to the Environmental Protection Agency was also forwarded to the Paynesville Corporation, The Liberian Legislature, the St. Francis Community Chairman, The Land Commission, The Liberia National Police and the International Conservative Group.
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