Finance Ministry Assures Forest Communities of Arrears Payment

‎By Mark N. Mengonfia
‎
‎The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has assured forest-affected communities that the government will work to settle outstanding arrears following a protest held outside the ministry.
‎
‎Residents from several forest-affected communities recently gathered at the ministry, demanding payment of land rental fees owed by the government of Liberia.
‎
‎The protestors said the government has failed to meet its legal obligation to remit communities’ share of forestry revenues.
‎
‎Andrew Y.Y. Zelemen, head of the communities’ secretariat, told reporters the group is demanding immediate payment and a clear roadmap for settling outstanding arrears.
‎
‎He called on the government to include specific allocations for the debt in the 2025 national budgets.
‎
‎Zelemen said the government has collected more than US$33 million in land rental fees from forestry operations. By law, 30% of that amount, more than US$10 million belongs to affected communities.
‎
‎Zelemen said less than US$5 million has been paid, leaving more than US$5 million outstanding.
‎
‎He also criticized the 2025 national budget, which appropriated US$746,292 for community payments, noting that only US$210,000 has been disbursed without explanation.
‎
‎“These delays undermine community development and weaken trust in public institutions,” Zelemen said.
‎
‎Responding on behalf of the ministry, Assistant Minister for Economic Policy Henry D.Z. Yanquoi acknowledged the government’s indebtedness and pledged to engage the communities, the Forestry Development Authority and other stakeholders to resolve the issue.
‎
‎Yanquoi said he would follow up on a reported US$90,000 payment check and ensure the matter is addressed, though he did not give a timeline for full settlement.