PHOTO: The Kongba District Development Association leadership at the Press confab
The people of Kongba District in Gbarpolu County have rejected the declaration of the Gola Forest National Part as the Gola/ Foyah Reserve by the government, as Augustine Octavius reports.
The people through the Kongba District Development Association called on the Liberian government to de-gazette the Gola Forest National Park, unless the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and its implementing partner, the Conservation of Nature of Liberia hold a major stakeholders’ conference to discuss issues regarding the district.
The Secretary General of the association, Learplay Bainda, said as stated by law and management plan of the forest, the FDA must clearly inform the people of their benefits from preserving the forest.
Addressing a press conference in Brewersville during the weekend, Mr. Bainda pointed out that the FDA, the European Union, the United Nations Development Program, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Conservational International and the people of Kongba District must sit at a stakeholder’s conference to discuss the challenges facing because of preventing them from entering the forest.
According to Mr. Bianda, the people want all the roads and bridges leading to the park to be rehabilitated and maintained at all times.
“The people are also demanding that employment and study opportunities be provided to their youths \s in all fields of studies,” he said; adding: “those programs for women’s empowerment be clearly articulated.”
Bainda indicated that the communities directly affected be compensated and that safety measured be put in place to prevent the invasion of wild animals and elephants into the communities and their farms.
The organization is requesting that the FDA and partners make safe drinking water, better healthcare, and quality education services available to the people.
The people said they want to be unequivocally clear that the proposed establishment of a new park in Kongba District known as the Gola/ Foyah Reserve is unacceptable and they rejected the decision.