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Liberia: FDA Bars 12 Logging Companies
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The Inquirer (Monrovia)
29 April 2008
Posted to the web 29 April 2008
Sebo Daniels
Barely few months to the official resumption of logging activities in the country, there are reports that the Management of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) concession Reviewed Committee has recommended that twelve logging companies be barred for their alleged involvement in the Liberian civil war.
Our reporter visited the head office of the FDA in Congo Town yesterday to ascertain the status of the twelve companies but, management could not lay hands on the documents on grounds that a committee member took the report to do some work on it.
However, the Managing Director, Mr. John Woods instructed his Administrative Assistance, Madam Getrue Koryan to assist our reporter by furnishing him with the list of affected companies but to no avail.
Moment's later, madam Koryan pleaded with our reporter to make the documents available today for perusal.
It can be recalled that during one of the series of discussions on the new forest review and concession contract in Liberia with emphasis on Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), the Managing Director of FDA, Mr. Woods made a startling revelation at the Monrovia City Hall when he disclosed that twelve logging companies have been barred.
Although, he did not name the companies at the time but sources said that most of the logging companies barred were operating in the South Eastern region of Liberia prior to the decision.
According to investigation conducted by this paper, it was revealed that some of the logging companies barred included: Oriental Timber Company (OTC), Maryland Wood Processing Industries (MWPI), the United Logging Company (ULC) and BIN Logging Company among others.
Meanwhile, an official at the Public Information Section at FDA Mr. Richie Grear told the Inquirer that since the imposition of the committee decision to bar the twelve logging companies considerable efforts have been made to avoid similar occurrence in the past.
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He said at present, concession contract will be given to would-be companies on a transparent basis by a special committee.
It can be recalled that during the height of the Liberian civil war several logging companies operating in Liberia were allegedly linked to aiding and abating the war through trading of timbers for the exchange of arms.
This report has not yet been independently established through trials in a competent court of jurisdiction. Investigation Continues
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