The House of Representatives (HoR) has cited heads of several line ministries and agencies to appear before the august body.
Those summoned officials, according to a release, are to provide testimony and documentation regarding alleged illegal deforestation and land rights violations.
The violations are reportedly taking place in Gbarzon District, Grand Gedeh County.
Among those expected to appear before the House leadership on Monday, September 8, 2025, are officials from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Liberia Land Authority (LLA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ministries of Mines and Energy and Labor, the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), and the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC).
Their testimonies are expected to clarify roles, responsibilities, and actions taken in response to reported forest depletion and land expropriation in the region.
The citation was initiated by Representative Jacob Cheategba Debee, II. of District #3, Grand Gedeh County, who raised alarm over the “coordinated activities by local officials,” including the Statutory Development Superintendent, and Magistrate of Chayee Town that have led to mass clearing of forest cover in Gboe Chiefdom.
He claims these actions may violate statutory protections under Liberia’s Land Rights Act of 2018, which mandates community consultation and documentation before any transfer of customary land.
Rep. Debee is seeking clarity on whether the LLA has taken steps to block or regularize acquisitions affecting communal lands, including issuing notices, conducting titling actions, and initiating conflict-resolution mechanisms.
He said the absence of such procedures undermines the legal safeguards intended to protect community land rights.
He also questioned the FDA enforcement capacity, citing its mandate to conserve forest resources and regulate timber harvesting.
Additionally, Debee called on the EPA to explain its lack of presence in the district, and its role in ensuring environmental impact assessments and carbon stock preservation.
House’s action underscores its constitutional oversight role and signals growing concern over environmental governance and land rights enforcement in rural Liberia.
The invited officials are expected to provide detailed responses and supporting documents to aid legislative scrutiny.
In a related development, the House of Representatives has constituted a Special Committee to confront the alarming rise in drug abuse and trafficking in the country. They described the drug menace as a “crisis that continues to erode the nation’s social fabric, and threaten the future of its youth.”
This legislative action follows a formal communication from Representative Moima Briggs Mensah of District #6, Bong County.
Madam Mensah called on her colleagues to urgently address the devastating consequences of narcotics in communities nationwide.
In her letter to Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, she underscored the widespread impact of addiction, citing broken families, increased violence, and the diminishing prospects of young Liberians.
“The drug epidemic is not just a health issue, it is a national emergency,” Madam Mensah declared, noting: “We must act with compassion for victims and resolve against traffickers.”
Meanwhile, the Special Committee has been entrusted with reviewing and proposing amendments to Liberia’s drug laws, recommending the creation of a National Rehabilitation and Reintegration Program, and advising on emergency budgetary support for the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
In addition, the committee will explore avenues for enhanced regional cooperation with ECOWAS and Mano River Union partners to combat cross-border trafficking.
The committee comprises Representatives Sampson Wiah, Augustine Chiewolo, Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Dahn, Gizze Kollince, Nyan Flomo, and Matthew Joe.
“These lawmakers are expected to collaborate with key national institutions, including the LDEA, the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and the ministries of Health, Education, and Youth and Sports,” the release said.
Lawmakers spoke of the committee’s mandate is grounded in Article 32(b) of the constitution, which empowers the Legislature to act in matters of urgent national concern.