As seen on AllAfrica

With reports of massive pillage of the country's forest in violation of the Private Use Permits” the Special Committee set up to investigate the abuse theft in the administration of the forest resources has recommended that communities in which the forests are situated be compensated.

“That all the above listed companies that have exported timber be made to compensate communities as per their memorandum of understand and social agreements” count 7 of the recommendation says.

The recommendation added that all payments for cubic meters of timber felled be immediately paid into escrow accounts created.

Those companies whose social agreements specify that a clinic valued at US412″500 and schools valued US$14″500 be made to immediately pay said amounts to the escrow account.

The report also requested the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to investigate individuals involved in the plundering of the country's forest and “if convicted be made to restitute payment received illegally.”

Meanwhile” the Special Independent Investigation Body (SIIB) has also requested that the Ministry of Justice prosecutes all individuals who submitted PUP applications with forged land deeds.

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