Former President of the Liberia Council of Churches, Bishop Kortu Brown, has renewed calls for greater transparency, and accountability in the concession agreements.
Brown argued that communities hosting the natural resources have continue to receive far less than they deserved.
He said, the minerals, forests and other natural resources must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly people living in areas where those resources are extracted.
Brown challenged the government, human rights organizations, civil society groups, and community leaders to intensify efforts to ensure that concession agreements protect the interests of Liberians, and provide meaningful benefits to affected communities.
He made the remark during a thanksgiving service at the New Water in Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church International in Brewerville, outside Monrovia, on Sunday, October 3.
The service formed part of activities that marked the 40th wedding anniversary of Bishop Kortu and Mariama Brown.
Brown: “Liberia long-standing concession arrangements raise serious questions about whether the country is receiving a fair return from its natural wealth?”
He said communities should not remain poor, and underdeveloped while companies extract valuable resources from their land.
Natural resources, Brown said, belong to the Liberian people, and should therefore, contribute directly to national development.
In his view, communities affected by concession activities should see concrete improvements in roads, schools, healthcare, employment, basic services, and other areas of development.
Brown also questioned the level of leadership, and commitment demonstrated by the state during negotiations with concessionaires.
He meanwhile, called for stronger government oversight to ensure that agreements are negotiated, and implemented in the national interest rather than allowing communities to carry the social, and environmental costs of resource extraction.
Brown further urged civil society, and human rights organizations, to scrutinize concession agreements, and advocate more forcefully for communities whose lands, and livelihoods are affected by mining, forestry and other extractive activities.
He called on Liberians not to leave decisions concerning the natural resources solely in the hands of government institutions and concession companies.
He argued that citizens deserve greater access to information, and opportunities to participate in discussions concerning the management of national resources.
Brown also expressed support for international calls for reparations to Africa from countries that participated in the transatlantic slave trade.
In Africa:
Brown described slavery as a prolonged system of exploitation that caused immense suffering, and violated the dignity and rights of millions of Africans.
He argued that the consequences of the slave trade continue to influence Africa’s economic and social conditions, making reparations part of a conversation about historical justice, accountability and responsibility.
Brown’s message ultimately linked the natural-resource challenges with a demand for accountability, and protection of vulnerable populations.
His comments come amid continuing public debate over concession agreements, resource governance, community benefits, and the government responsibility to ensure that the natural wealth improves the living conditions of ordinary Liberians.
