HOR Endorses Recommendations to Curb WAFDI Concession Missteps

The plenary of the  House of Representatives (HOR), has endorsed several recommendations geared towards improving the operations of West Africa Forestry Development Incorporated- WAFDI, situated in District 2, Grand Bassa County.

The House Press Bureau, in a statement issued Tuesday, June 18, 2024, said plenary’s decision was reached following a report submitted by the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, recently set up.

Committee was mandated, to probe a formal complaint filed to the Honorable House of Representatives, through the Concession Review Committee, by West Africa Forestry Development Incorporated- WAFDI.

The company accused Grand Bassa County District 2 Representative, Clarence T.J. Banks, of obstructing its operational activities thereby causing loss of revenue.

The Press Bureau says the Committee recommended the citation of WAFDI, the Management of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Finance and Development Planning Ministry and LRA in keeping with Chapter 3, Section 3.1 (a) and (b), and 4.1 of the 2006 National Forestry Reform Law, to provide information as to what is obtaining, as it relates to West Africa Forestry Development Incorporated operations.

The House of Representatives believes that in order to take effective control of illegal logging, it requires action across many policy areas including the promotion of good governance, action to tackle corruption, land reform, industrial development assistance, and a strong stance on protecting forest and other natural habitats in the country.

The august body wants the Company to present a copy of its Memorandum of understanding reached with the locals where it is operating; pending a visit to other sites of the company where reports have it of more damaged or unused logs are located including the destruction of crops belonging to the locals.

Meanwhile, Plenary wants the Forestry Development Authority- FDA, to provide more details of the operations of said company