The Government of Liberia has announced the disbursement of over L$40 Million Dollars to settle longstanding land dispute among citizens in Nimba County. The money is intended to facilitate the hand- over process of properties taken over by residents, while owners were in exiled.

"Respondents are those whose properties were taken over by others, probably while they were away in exile; we paid a total of L$40,612,000.00".

Mr. Sirleaf told journalists in Monrovia Wednesday that recently, officials of the Liberian Government were in Nimba County to fulfill President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's promise to citizens, regarding those who were listed in the Bility Report on the Nimba Land dispute.

He made the disclosure yesterday while on a rice distribution exercise to various mosques in and around Monrovia, under the auspices of President Sirleaf as a way of identifying with Muslims in observance of their Holy Month of Ramadan.

The Deputy Internal Affairs Minister said the Nimba land dispute was at its finality, disclosing that government has paid occupants of disputed properties in Ganta, Bahn and Saniquellie respectively.

"We left Ganta, and the people were very happy and impressed; so this president is doing extremely well and I thought to let you all know," he said.

Minister Sirleaf furthered that a few cases were not concluded up to the expiration of the committee's [mandate], announcing that recommendations were already being forwarded to President Sirleaf on cases yet to be concluded for possible redress.

"They are not many, but very few. Based on the durability of the property you put on the land, you probably receive L$500,000; some people up to L$950, 000," Mr. Sirleaf revealed.

Already, the Deputy Internal Affairs Minister disclosed that with the involvement of the Justice Ministry, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been prepared for signing by every recipient of the money so as to leave the property. "Once you receive the money, we give you 90 days to vacate the property; so if you don't, then the law will take its course," Sirleaf assured. Meanwhile, the government has begun working with locals in Sinoe County to resolve the Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) land issue with the citizens there. Mr. Sirleaf announced that government has been working with the head of Green Advocates, Cllr. Alfred Brownell on the MOU, and that by 10th or 11th August, an MOU would finally be signed in Sinoe County between the locals and GVL.

Following the final signing ceremony, he said, the GVL would then go back to work. In the formula being put in place, Mr. Sirleaf said, plantations will be laid out for the community as the GVL is laying out its own plantation.