By Ezekiel Geeplay, Ezekielgeeplay.105.5@gmail.com
JALAY Town, Sinoe County, Liberia- The Forestry Development Authority (FDA), in an effort to restoring dignity to conserve and preserve endanger species and other forest natural resources regarding protected area management, is poised to clear Sapo park of illegal occupants.
The latest move comes following recent publication of the Liberia Forest Media Watch that uncovered the violation of government ban, resulting to increase illegalities, a year after declaring the park a ‘no go zone’.
Speaking in an interview at the weekend, FDA Technical Conservation Manager Jerry Yonmah said there are series of ongoing discussions, considering effort to clear the park of those illegal operators.
He also called on central government to increase the FDA’s budget through allocation ahead of the passage of the FY 2025 national budget, this according to him will help to meet some of the burning challenges behind the ill effectiveness of safeguarding the country oldest biodiversity hotspot moving forward.
“We are currently holding discussions, and pretty soon we will be moving in to ensure that the park is clear. We are also calling on central government for increase budgetary support through the national budged, this will help for the smooth running of our operation to enhance effective enforcement and regulations,” he said.
Photo of Engender Species in the park
Over these years, according to Yonmah, Donors partners have been providing supports to the FDA, but for now he said the clearing and regulation of the park of illegalities lies with in the hands of the government as donors funding are intended for projects and livelihood programs.
“The park is being managed by FDA, but it is for the government of Liberia. I think with this ongoing illegal activities, government need to empower the FDA financially to ensure that calm is restored by removing those illegal occupants, FDA cannot do this on her own” He explained.
The FDA Technical Conservation Manager told LFMW that all revenues collected by the agency are directly deposited into government coffers, adding that the entity doesn’t have control of expending cent toward any activities unless for what is given through the national budget annually.
Jerry Yonmah underscore the need for increase budgetary allotments to the agency, adding that in the absent of funding, nothing could be achieved as a means of regulating the parks.
He disclosed that the agency is considering decision to recruit more man power who will served as rangers to safeguard the park if and only funding is made available by central government, attributing the increase illegalities to weak enforcement and regulation as a result of lack of adequate budgetary support.
Photo of FDA Technical Manager for Conservation Jerry Yonmah
Meanwhile, the FDA official also warned against community members adding foreign national at the park to carryout out illegal activities. He said while plan is underway to doing the needful, if anyone is caught, the agency will have no regret of taking legal stand that could possibly result to going to jail.
He urged residents surrounding the park to serve as of change in aiding the FDA through the protection, adding that the park belongs to them.
However, some locals in the county want government to clear the part using armed forces, adding it is the only way those illegal occupants will leave for good.
Established in 1983 as a protected area, the Sapo National Park is globally known for its containment of important plants, animals and other valuable resources. The Park remains susceptible to degradation due to the uncontrollable influx of illegal miners aided by residents around the Park despite global attention. The FDA that is charged with the responsibility to manage the Park has proven less capable of doing so. The Authority has, however, attributed its incapacitation to lack of adequate financial and logistical support to monitor the forest sector.