By Allen P. Lablah, lallenpaye@yahoo.com
Sanniquellie, Liberia-A leadership structure and Terms of Reference of the Gba and East Nimba Nature Reserve Local Consultative Committee (GELCC) has been put in place, as part of the US$6 million ’’Mano River Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resources Management (IWRM) Project.’’
The project targets the conservation and sustainable use of the trans-boundary water basins and their biodiversity resources within the Mano River Union member states.
According to Mr. Doumbia Adboulaye, Regional Coordinator for the MRU project the duration of the project is 4 years which should have commenced in 2017 after it was approved and launched in July 2017 in Cote d’voire, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. But he said it did not start at the time mentioned, instead it began in February 2018.
’’Mano River Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resources Management (IWRM) Project’’ has two components which include, the forest and water components.
Speaking recently in Nimba County’s provincial capital, Sanniquellie, the GEF-MRU Project Regional Coordinator said that US$4millions is allotted for forest management, while US$2millions will go towards water management.
Mr. Adboulaye cited the strengthening of the MRU countries’ capacities in natural resource governance, coupled with negotiation and benefit- sharing to promote an exchange of experiences in the Mano project as some of the specific issues in each landscape and basin.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Forestry Development Authority (FDA) over the weekend established the leadership structure and Terms of Reference of the Gba and East Nimba Nature Reserve ENNR Local Consultative Committee (GELCC).
The local Consultative Committee was established through the watchful eyes of the GEF- Funded Mano Project Regional Coordinator, Doumbia Adboulaye.
The Gba and East Nimba Nature Reserve ENNR Local Consultative Committee (GELCC) was set up by the Forestry Development Authority under the GEF- Funded ’’Mano River Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resources Management (IWRM) Project’’.
Among other things, the Local Consultative Committee is to monitor activities of the area complex of the Gba Community Forest West Nimba and East Nimba Nature Reserve, share information between the project and the thirty one forest affected adjacent to the two landscapes.
Also, the leadership of the Local Consultative Committee will share information with the trans-boundary platform established between Liberia and Cote d’voire and feedback all implementing partners.
Its leadership will work with the communities to participate in project activities, particularly in landscape planning and restoration activities, best practices in agriculture amongst others.
In keeping with the task, the Advisory Committee stands to coordinate trans-boundary cooperation with the Guinean and Ivorian Consultative Committees, provide frequent updates to the National Execution Agency, implementing partners, communities and local authorities on all activities of the trans-boundary platform on Gba West Nimba and ENNR East Nimba.
The GEF- Funded ’’Mano River Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resources Management (IWRM) Project’’ will be implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through the Liberia Forestry Development Authority and the Mano River Union.
Others include Trans-boundary forest blocks and the corridors including the protected area complex of the Gola Rainforest National Park Sierra Leone and the Gola National Forest Liberia, trans-boundary forest block and corridor including the protected area complex of the Sapo National Park the Grebo Liberia, National Forest and the Tai National Park, Cote d’Voire.
The GEF-National Project Coordinator, Mr. William Pewu disclosed that the project has four landscapes to be managed.
The four landscapes are; trans-boundary forests block including the protected area complex of the Diecke National Forest Guinea, the Mt. Nimba integrated forest reserves and the East Nimba National park, trans-boundary forest block including the protected area complex of the Wonegisi-Ziama National Forest.
Mr. Pewu maintained that there are serious threats to the biodiversity of these last remaining forest block due to the lack of comprehensive courage with protected areas.
Representing the County Authority at theGba and East Nimba Nature Reserve ENNR Local Consultative Committee (GELCC) workshop, Joseph D. Torlon appreciated GEF and her implementing partners for supporting Liberia protected areas.
The County Forest Forum Chairman said the GEF-funded MRU project stands to enhance and augment the Country Conservation activities.
He said what Liberian leaders must do now is to prioritize the Country Forest Sector.
The Gba and East Nimba Nature Reserve ENNR Local Consultative Committee (GELCC) workshop which was held at the Post Guest House in Sanniquellie City, was attended by Saye Thompson Co-Management Committee Chairman, ENNR, Salome G. Gofan, Executive Director Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment, chiefs, commissioners, woman representatives, youth representatives among others.