By Sampson W. Weah
Sinoe County, Liberia — Sinoe County Senator Clayton Oldman Duncan has called on residents of the PHP community to remain vigilant and take firm control of their natural resources, warning that failure to do so could result in continued exploitation and marginalization.
Speaking during a community engagement in the District 8 Montserrado County, Sinoe Senator Duncan emphasized that natural resources belong first and foremost to the people and must be managed in a manner that brings tangible benefits to local residents.
“If you don’t shine your eyes, other people will come and take advantage of what belongs to you,” Sen. Duncan told the gathering.
“Your land and resources are your strength, and you must be involved in every decision that affects them.
”The Sinoe lawmaker cautioned that many communities across Liberia have suffered due to poor understanding of concession agreements and lack of participation in negotiations involving investors.”
According to him, communities that fail to ask questions and demand transparency often end up with little or nothing to show for the resources extracted from their land.
Sen. Duncan urged residents of the PHP community to organize themselves, seek legal and technical advice where necessary, and ensure they are properly represented whenever discussions are held concerning land use, mining, forestry, or agricultural concessions.
“Development should not happen without the people,” he said. “You must know what is being signed, who is signing it, and how it will benefit your community.”
He further stressed the importance of unity, noting that division within communities makes them vulnerable to manipulation by external interests. The senator encouraged residents to speak with one voice and hold both investors and government authorities accountable.
Residents welcomed the senator’s advice, describing it as timely and encouraging amid growing concerns over land use and resource management in the area. Community leaders pledged to work together to protect their interests and ensure that development initiatives align with their needs.
Sen. Duncan reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for community rights at the national level, assuring residents that he would continue to push for policies that promote transparency, fair benefit-sharing, and sustainable development.