As seen on AllAfrica

21 May 2013

Monrovia” Liberia

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the draft Land Rights Policy” presented to her at the conclusion of a two-day National Validation Conference in the capital” is a major milestone in creating a more inclusive country where all Liberians are assured of their right to own and enjoy the benefits of land.

“By clearly defining the various categories of land and accompanying rights and responsibilities” the Policy will assist in the development of appropriate legal mechanisms and procedures for the resolution of the numerous contentious land disputes”” the Liberian leader stressed.

According to an Executive Mansion release” President Sirleaf made the statement on Tuesday” May 21″ when she received the draft Land Rights Policy from the Land Commission at the end of the Land Rights Policy National Validation Conference” held at the Centennial Pavilion.

The two-day conference” held May 20-21 under the theme: “Know Your Land Rights”” brought together over 500 delegates” including superintendents” city mayors” township and district commissioners” traditional leaders” elders” women and youth groups” civil society organizations” resident land surveyors” among others” from all 15 counties.

Speaking further” President Sirleaf” as the chief convener of the conference” said she was happy that the first stage to adequately address sticky land issues is complete” but that the government is fully aware that implementing the recommendations of the Policy poses major challenges” especially with regards to Customary Land. “Extensive education and information campaigns will have to be undertaken throughout every corner of the country” in all districts and clans” to educate our citizens about their rights and responsibilities as outlined in this Policy”” the President emphasized.

She stated that the recognition and granting of ownership rights to rural communities create enormous potential for economic empowerment of local communities” which foster economic growth within these communities as local economic growth is essential for sustaining the country's robust decentralization goals.

However” she reminded Liberians that with every right comes responsibilities” as in the exercise of these rights” particularly regarding the new category of Customary Land where rural communities and their leaders must ensure that all members of their communities enjoy the benefits of the natural resources and their land.

President Sirleaf reiterated that Government must ensure that support is provided to rural communities to enable them to undertake border identification and delineation of community land and the preparation of deeds. “This right goes beyond just the Policy. It now means that those granted the rights will get a legal document – their deeds – so their rights are fully protected”” she said” adding that support must also be provided to assist communities establish legal entities for managing community land as well as strengthening their governance arrangements to make them fully responsible and accountable.

The Liberian President reiterated that while this draft Land Policy addresses inequities of the past” it also provides a clear vision of where Liberians want to go with their land sector. “None of the principles or recommendations will be applied retroactively to change prior actions of Government”” she said” noting clearly that implementation of the Policy will require the repeal and revision of some existing laws” the restructuring of some existing institutions and the creation of new institutions.

She thanked the Land Commission for being resolute and getting the Liberian people involved in the drafting process” and hoped that citizens' participation will be paramount at all times in addressing land conflict or potential conflict situation.

Speaking earlier” the Chairman of the Land Commission” Dr. Othello Brandy” thanked the President for Government's support” but cautioned that the hard work now begins. “The implementation of this Policy requires even more hard work” even more consultations” even more involvement with communities as we begin delineating borders” and begin to demarcate their areas” and begin to finally give them deeds”” he said.

Before presenting the draft Policy to President Sirleaf” which he described “historic”” Dr. Brandy said that “it marks the beginning of a new effort to move forward” to unite all of over citizens – every single one of our citizens. As a result of the work we've done” everyone can now have a share” a stake in this country as never before”” he declared.

Dr. Brandy emphasized that the document is an effort of over two years of work based on studies” wide-range broad-based consultations through the involvement of all of Liberians” stakeholders and international partners. He attributed the success of the drafting process to the commitment of his fellow Board of Commissioners and the support that all Liberians gave the Commission during the exercise.

Speaking on behalf of the Governance Commission that initiated the land reform process” Commissioner Elizabeth Sele Mulbah” representing the Chairman” Dr. Amos Sawyer” said the Commission was pleased with the progress made at the Land Commission” particularly in leading the national consultative process that gave a policy direction to Liberia on land rights and related issues. The Land Rights Policy” she said” “is the clearest and most comprehensive categorization of land rights ever articulated in public policy in Liberia.”

Mrs. Mulbah expressed pleasure that consultations are ongoing to ensure that the new Local Government Law and the new Land Rights Policy are fully aligned with each other. She said that the Governance Commission looks forward to working with the Land Commission in implementing the Land Reform Policy” especially in the establishment of the governance institution that is required to give it cost and effect.

The Land Commission” an autonomous government institution” was established by an Act of the Legislature in August 2009″ with a five-year life-span. Its mandate is to propose” advocate and coordinate reforms of land policy” laws and programs in Liberia. Its goal is to develop a comprehensive national land tenure and land use system that will provide equitable access to land and security of tenure so as to facilitate inclusive and sustained growth and development” ensure peace and security” and provide sustainable management of the environment.

The Land Commission is supported by the Government of Liberia and donor agencies” including USAID” the World Bank” UN-Habitat” the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)” and the Millennium Challenge Corporation” among others.

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