Monrovia, Liberia – September 2025– A wave of frustration is sweeping through over 500 forest communities across 11 of Liberia’s 15 counties as the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs) formally expresses their grave concerns regarding the long-overdue payments from the Government of Liberia (GoL). The communities are demanding their rightful 30% share of land rental fees collected from concession operations, as mandated by the National Forestry Reform Law of 2006.
Despite their significant contributions to Liberia’s forestry sector, these communities have faced chronic delays in receiving payments, leading to mounting arrears that require urgent government intervention. The NUCFDCs are calling for clear budget commitments for 2025 and a strengthened appropriation for 2026.
The background of this issue is rooted in the Forestry Reform Law of 2006, which entitles affected communities to a share of the land rental fees collected by the GoL. From 2009 to 2023, the GoL collected a staggering *US$33,840,389.12, of which the communities are owed **US$10,152,116.74. However, to date, only *US$4,817,091.05 (approximately 47%) has been disbursed, leaving a balance of US$5,335,025.71 (approximately 53%) unpaid.
The situation has persisted for nearly 16 years, reflecting a troubling pattern of delays in disbursement to the affected communities. In 2024, President Boakai’s administration allocated US$746,292 for forestry communities, but only US$685,091 (about 92%) was disbursed by the end of the year. For 2025, a similar amount was appropriated, yet as of June, only US$210,000 had been remitted to the National Community Benefit Sharing Trust Board (NBSTB), representing a mere 28.14% of the total appropriation.
As the ninth month of FY2025 approaches, community leaders express their dismay. “How can we trust that the full amount will be paid if these delays continue?” they lament.
In response to the ongoing frustrations, the NUCFDCs are demanding immediate action from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA). They are requesting the timely payment of the remaining US$536,292 for 2025 and an accelerated disbursement plan to clear the existing arrears. Furthermore, they are urging the MFDP to prioritize an allocation of at least US$1.5 million for forestry-affected communities in the 2026 National Budget.
If the proposed payments are made, the arrears could be reduced from US$5.3 million to approximately US$3.5 million by the end of 2026.
However, if the current trend continues, the long-term goal of fully settling these arrears by 2029 may remain elusive.
The implications of these prolonged arrears are significant, threatening the trust between forest communities and the government. This could have detrimental effects on community forest governance, local livelihoods, and the overall performance of concession agreements. Timely payments are not only essential for economic relief but also crucial for sustaining community engagement in forest management and conservation efforts.
In light of these pressing issues, the NUCFDCs are planning a protest against the finance ministry at its offices if payments are not sufficiently made this month. They are calling for transparency and accountability from the FDA and MFDP, urging them to publish a clear payment schedule and provide regular updates on arrears and disbursements.
The NUCFDCs remain committed to collaborating with the FDA and MFDP to ensure the timely delivery of the communities’ rightful share, which is vital for the livelihoods of forest communities and the long-term sustainability of Liberia’s forest sector.
As the community prepares to take a stand, the message is clear: the time for action is now.
