FDA, EPA, MACs, and Partners Host One-Day Stakeholders Meeting on Wonegizi Proposed
The Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministries, Agencies, Commissioners (MACs), and partners convened a one-day national stakeholders meeting at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia to advance discussions on the Wonegizi Proposed Protected Area (WPPA).The meeting brought together representatives from Lofa County, including local communities from the seventeen affected towns and villages surrounding the Wonegizi landscape. In attendance were the Superintendent of Lofa County, Hon. J. Lavelah Massaquoi; representatives from the offices of the two senators of Lofa County; district commissioners; chiefs and elders; youth leaders; and the women’s wing of the county.This process was supported by Fauna & Flora and funded by GRET through the French Development Agency (AFD). Key Deliberations Mr. Jerry Yonmah, Technical Manager for the FDA’s Conservation Department, explained that the gazettement process began with consultations at the district level, later extended to the county, and has now reached the national stage. He noted that once reviewed at the national level, gazettement documents will be presented to the FDA Board of Directors, forwarded to the President’s Office, and subsequently sent to the Legislature for comments and recommendations before final approval and enactment into law. FDA Managing Director, Mr. Rudolph J. Merab, Sr., reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to ensuring better livelihoods for communities while safeguarding forests for future generations. He cautioned that donor and partner support depends on communities’ willingness to protect forests, warning that continued illegal activities could jeopardize funding and benefits. Superintendent J. Lavelah Massaquoi highlighted that initial concerns raised during consultations were addressed, and the seventeen communities are now supportive of the process. He expressed optimism that the law will be enacted following legislative and presidential review. Partners’ Perspectives Fauna & Flora Country Director, Dr. Mary Molokwu-Odozi, expressed delight at the progress made, noting that years of engagement have yielded valuable lessons for conservation. She emphasized the importance of gazettement for advancing the REDD+ pilot site, which will enable the generation of carbon credits. “We are hopeful and looking forward to progress not only with gazettement, which is key for the REDD+ process, but also in finalizing infrastructure and institutional frameworks that will support carbon credit generation,” Dr. Molokwu-Odozi stated. Lawmakers, county authorities, and development partners pledged their full support for the gazettement process, commending the FDA, Fauna & Flora, and donors for their efforts.
They urged that communities benefit equitably once the Wonegizi Protected Area is legally recognized.
(Edited and published by FDA Public Affairs Dept.)
