Written by Varney M. KamaraYearning for greater say in matters relating to their welfare, Liberian youths Wednesday urged their leaders to practice transparency and accountability. The head of the Federation of Liberian Youths, Mohammed Nasser, told journalists at a
The new committee on the Public Use Permit submitted to president Sirleaf for the protection of the natural resources has indicted the Forestry Development Authority for failing to issue a regulatory framework under which PUPs operate.
Due to the failure of the FDA's to its statutory job led to "the evils that have led to abuse of the system," Acting Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh said at the regular Thursday weekly press briefing at the Ministry of Information.
"The FDA failed to promulgate the Regulations governing the issuance of PUPs, and that the senior management at FDA took advantage of the lack of Regulations in ways that were unconscionable, illegal and a violation of the public trust," President Sirleaf's appointed committee said in its report.
It added:
"That FDA failed to exercise due care and legal prudence in the review of documentation presented for PUPs.
"According to the Committee, most of the documents reviewed, showed errors in dates, signatures, Deeds, and associated documents. Some of the actions of FDA indicated culpability by officials of the FDA in cohort with individuals working for logging companies and communities."
Acting Justice Minister, Sannoh also announced the President's latest moratorium in Monrovia Thursday at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, where he delivered a final report on behalf of the Special Independent Investigation Body established by President Sirleaf to look investigate PUPs' activities.
Government has vowed it will no longer condone illegal acts surrounding its forestry sector, and warned that more tough actions would come for would-be perpetrators.
Already, Minister Sannoh disclosed, President Sirleaf has approved several recommendations including the Declaration all PUPs issued by the FDA void as their issuance preceded promulgation of Regulation as required by the NFRL, or in the absence of Regulations; That the GOL revokes all PUPs for failure to comply with the National Forestry Reform Law; That an independent audit of the FDA be conducted and the finding of such audit be made public, and that the chairperson of the Board of Directors be suspended, and that the Board of Directors be reprimanded.
In view of the recommendations submitted to the President, Minister Sannoh noted, "That all logging companies involved in PUPs be suspended until the moratorium is lifted" Minister Sannoh quoted President Sirleaf as ordering.
Adding, "That appropriate administrative actions, including dismissals be taken against Government employees across every agency and ministry with connection to the forestry sector that have engaged in gross administrative misconduct and named in the report."
President Sirleaf also ordered that a full review of the legal and regulatory framework governing the management of community forest and private permits be undertaken so as to ensure that the intended reforms of the forestry sector as embodied in the NFRL and the CRL can be assured, amongst others.
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Let me suggest that if the government means business in arresting this corrupt act by some of our public leaders, the government should not leave the PUP arrangement between the local communities and logging companies. The local people are not educated, some don't understand and speak English, etc. In this case the local communities stands to lose in any agreement. Instead, any local community that wants to participate in the PUP should go through the appropriate authority of a government agency along with the logging companies. The authority should ensure that the logging companies produce the payments and any other social benefit that the community will need. In such a case the authority representing the local people should be aware that any collusion with the logging companies to defraud the local communities is a crime and will be prosecuted, and the guilty party will find themselves behind bar. The reason many Liberians do not take President Sirleaf serious is that she is very weak when it comes to fighting corruption because those in her administration know that if she prosecute them, she will also have to prosecute some of her own family members and friends. I believe this is the reason the president has refused to prosecute officials of her administration. This is why Liberians need to break loose of the Ellen Government comes 2017. Because if the president appoints anyone to succeed her, that person if he or she becomes president, will not fight corruption. Will not even investigate some of the corrupt practices that are going on in this government. Liberians need an independent and strong will person who will tackle the issue of corruption, judicial reform, development and decentralization of policies and government in Liberia. We need a leader who will invest in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and promote good governance at all level of Liberian society. George Weah has failed this test with his own party and he cannot do it for Liberia. Liberians of good leadership quality, come out and do not sit on the side because you don't have money. The only money you need is honesty, character, and the good heart that can move Liberia forward. This coming 2017 election will be about people power vs. Unity Party and President Sirleaf money, Oppong Weah money plus all the government officials contributions. However, people power will win out if the NEC doesn't cheat at the commission.