FDA Reacts To FPA

Friday, February 6, 2026: The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) has sharply reacted to Front Page Africa Thursday, February 5, 2026 edition under the captioned: “FDA Boss Rudolph Merab Accused of Opposing Gazettement of Proposed Foya National Park, Citing Threats to Jobs, Community Livelihoods”.  FDA describes the fabricated publication which sole intent is to tarnish the reputation of the current Managing Director and paint the country’s forest sector black to the international community as false and misleading.

The unverified and unethical story accused Honorable Merab Sir. of steering FDA away from its long standing “3Cs” approach- Conservation, Commercial and Community forest toward commercial logging alone. The story further alleged that FDA management had suggested to community dwellers that only through logging revenues could finance road in the district and therefore, they should deprioritize conservation in favor of commercial logging.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026 FDA held a day-long forum in Kumbor Town, Komgba District in Gbarpolu County to hear citizens views on government proposal to declare the Foya landscape as protected park. The meeting was  characterized by protest from young people against government decision to reserve the Foya landscape as one of the country’s parks. At no time did Honorable Merab suggests to community dwellers that only through logging revenues could finance road construction as was falsely insinuated by the Front Page Africa. The FDA also reject and deny such blatant falsehood that the MD halted all projects implementation at the landscape.  Following the various opposing remarks by the youth, women and Chiefs and elders at the meeting, the Minister of Internal Affairs , Honorable Francis Sakila Nyumalin being the senior government official in the meeting asked Honorable Merab to join him to meet President Joseph N. Boakai on the position of community people. Until the meeting with the President is held, the body agreed that any other ongoing project regarding the Gazettement of Foya landscape be placed on hold. “Let it be made cleared that this decision was not made by MD Merab as reported by FPA”.

FDA says Honorable Merab and his management are strong supporters of the long standing  3Cs -Conservation, Commercial and Community and will not support only commercial logging as claimed by the writer of the story.  An efforts by the current management to remove illegal occupants from the Sapo National Park in Sinoe County is a cleared indication that conservation is Paramount to the current management team. Under the leadership of Honorable Merab, improving the livelihood of community dwellers and the forest sector remain key priority. FDA remains committed to the livelihood issue because it is cardinal to both national government and implementing partners.

FDA is therefore calling on the management of the Front Page Africa to “retract” the story because it is false and misleading.