After five years of intensive and consistent interventions from the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) in collaboration with local partners with support from USAID Liberia Management Activity (LMA), citizens of the Fessibu community in Lofa County have finally received a deed for their customary land.
Fessibu is located in Gizzima Clan, Zorzor District, Lofa County. The deed was finally presented to the community by the Government of Liberia through the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) in March 2024.
According to the ‘Statutory Customary Land Deed’ issued, citizens of the town self-identified themselves as a customary land-owning community and requested from the Republic of Liberia, a Customary Community Statutory Deed as provided for by Article 32 of the 2018 Land Rights Act (LRA).
It can be recalled that on April 12, 2023, Fessibu and its neighbor Zelemai community in Lofa County reached an agreement on three boundaries which previously delayed the Fessibu Community from obtaining its deed as prescribed by the 2018 Liberia’s Land Rights Act (LRA).
Following the issuance of the ‘Statutory Customary Land Deed’ to Fessibu, citizens of the community expressed excitement over this historic achievement, which they believe will set the basis for other communities to emulate.
The glamorous ceremony brought high-level representatives from the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), Land Management Activity (LMA), USAID-Liberia, local county authorities, traditional, women and youth, student groups, and other community members.
One of the groups that made the issuance of the deed possible has been the Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC). Article 35 of the 2018 Land Rights Act gives the CLDMC power to manage the community’s land with the overall consent of the community.
Madam Kolu Beyan, CLDMC Chairperson of Fessibu Community with deep excitement beeping on her face expressed appreciation to the citizens of Fessibu and the CLDMC members for their untiring support and commitment.
Madam Beyan recounted that her people demonstrated what she calls perfect team spirit throughout the Customary land formalization process. According to her, such a great milestone achievement couldn’t have been successful without the support from the LLA, Local Authorities, the Land Management Activity (LMA) project team, and USAID-Liberia.
She said, “I want to use this time to say a big thank you to the LMA people, the LLA and our traditional leaders, youth and women groups, and community members for making this a success. The joy and happiness on the faces of the people, including school-going children, demonstrates how important this day is to the people of Fesibu land.”
The Fessibu CLDMC Chairperson used the occasion to call on local authorities, CLDMC leadership, and the people of the Fessibu community to adequately manage the land in the best interest of all. Madam Beyan pledged the full commitment of the leadership of the CLDMC and said that they will work in the interest of all.
In his remarks, LMA Chief of Party, Mr. Mark Pommerville, applauded the people of the Fessibu community, local and traditional leaders, women, and youth groups for their commitment during the implementation of the project in the community.
Mr. Pommerville thanked USAID-Liberia for its financial support, and further called on the people of Fessibu to celebrate such a great achievement by making sure the land is protected and the interests of all are adhered to.
Speaking on behalf of USAID-Liberia, Madam Suzanne Truchard, Director, Office of Democracy, Rights and Governance, USAID, reaffirmed USAID support through its implementing partner LMA, thus calling on customary communities to embrace and take ownership of every opportunity in formalizing their customary land. She said the issuance of deeds to communities is key to social economic growth and community development.
At the same time, LLA Chairman, Atty. J. Adams Manobah, Sr., in his official remarks on behalf of the Board of Commissioner and staff of the LLA, extended thanks to the management of LMA and USAID-Liberia for buttressing greatly the effort of the Government of Liberia in ensuring that customary communities across the fifteen political subdivisions of Liberia lands are documented and deeded.
“Recently the LLA issued other communities deeds, thus, your community is now part of those who have their land deeds. Your interest comes first. This is why we all must see this today as a great reward to the people for their commitment to the peace and security of the country. Land is traditional, and hence, it is with great respect we attach high-level commendations to our elders and chiefs who over the years continue to work with the LLA in resolving land disputes and conflicts. As I have said, we must always consider the Land Rights Law and communities interest when signing concessions,” he added.
Chairman Manobah further expressed that his administration at the LLA will be greatly successful if at least five hundred (500) plus communities across Liberia's land deeds are documented and deeded. Note: A search on the LLA website helped as well