The Informer (Monrovia)
21 May 2009
(Page 2 of 2)
According to him, the company will invest in thermoelectric power supply using forest residues and processing waste to reduce fossil fuel cost in the production chain and undertake certification of the contract forest and forest products in order to gain quick access to the international timber market.
For policy on community, he said the ICC's goal shall be the motivation of forest communities to appreciate the value or benefit from forest resources for their full participation, while basic strategic objectives of the policy will include provision of sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities other than timber revenue benefits for forest fringe communities and allowing local communities to identify their development projects before implementation.
He said it will facilitate constant dialogue between the management and the communities' members for enhanced resource conflict resolution;
According to him, the policy on forest include protecting the rare, endemic, and endangered species, protect selected areas of special scientific, scenic or ecological significant within the contract forest ecosystem of operations, applying appropriate silvicultural prescriptions to regenerate and restore indigenous species at all areas affected by harvest related activities (landing, skid trails and roads) and monitoring and control all invasive species within the contract area, while at the same time prohibiting the carrying of fire arms and hunting in the contract area.
He said the ICC will respect all legal or customary rights to land or forest as well as respect for cultural, traditional and local values and customs.
The company, he said will avoid all traditionally restricted and sacred areas such as the Sande and Poro society bushes, farmlands, and downstream damaging/pollution of water bodies, timely address the welfare of the workers and the communities to enhance their livelihood standards and provide equal opportunities and preference for employment without segregation to any community member.
Meanwhile, ICC will be formidable business entity in Liberia with great potential to invest in the forest industry sector of the economy. Its initial financial and technical investment for the various management systems (Log harvesting, primary processing, secondary processing, and provision of thermoelectric power) will amount to at least US$23,000,000 United States Dollars during year one.
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