The Forestry Development Authority(FDA) has concluded a week-long technical training session for Liberia’s Natural Resource actors as part of efforts by Countries of the Mano River Union Basin to promote trans-boundary integrated water Resource Management in the Basin.
The initiate by Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Cote d’ivoire is intended to avoid potential conflicts over trans-boundary water resource along the various borders.
Addressing the start of the event on Nov 3,2020 in Monrovia, Forestry Development Authority Managing Director, C. Mike Doryen revealed that experts and other professionals in the Natural Resource Sector have predicted the trans-boundary water could be a major source of conflict in the absence of a mitigation strategy.
Mr. Doryen said in order to avoid future potential conflict over trans-border water resource; the requisite mitigation strategies and steps must be put into place by Member States of the MRU, and called on Foreign Minister Maxwell Kamayan to elevate the matter at the level of the cabinet.
Mr. Doryen emphasized the current state of affairs along the Makona River between Liberia and Guinea which he said requires the prompt diplomatic engagements of the two Countries.
The FDA Managing Director, however, said despite some of the little challenges especially the issue with the Makona River, the current friendship subsisting amongst Countries of the MRU can be equated to brotherhood.
He expressed fear that in the case of international or regional interest, there are possibilities that the issue of brotherhood could be subordinated and insisted that the only way forward is to institute proper framework that would avoid future potential threats resulting from trans-border water sources in the region.
Mr. Doryen said he is happy that the current structures been put in place by Countries of the MRU basin under the project has enabled citizens from the basin to hold discussions, share common challenges and discuss issues that would be seen as potential threats in the region describing such structures as excellent working relationship.
He recounted the respective roles of the three original member states of the MRU, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone in the establishment of the Forest Training Institute in Bomi County which should have been used by the three Countries to train middle level technicians in the forestry sector.
Also speaking the Head of the MRU-Liberia Office, Christian Jallah said better water resource management in the Mano River basin is crucial to promoting peace and tranquility.
Mr. Jallah said the Mano River Union Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resource project is gear towards strengthening management of trans-boundary natural resource and protection in the MRU basin.
The MRU Secretariat Mr. Jallah said, would ensure the full implementation of the project objective and achieve the stated outcome.
He noted that the project would help to enhance better trade and cross-borders, integrate the economy of the participating Countries and ensure the sustainability of peace in the region.
The weeklong workshop was conducted under two components including integrated Management of forest ecosystem and Sustainable Management Trans-boundary water.
Similar workshop will also be conducted in the remaining three MRU Countries including Ivory Coast, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
The participants were drawn from various government Ministries and Agencies.
The workshop was sponsored by the Mano River Union with funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
Comments are closed.