Remarks by Hon. Francis Sakila Nyumalin Sr., Minister of Local Government, at the Official Launch of the National Decentralization Support Unit
2024 Ministry of Internal Affairs Annual Report
Service Delivery Charter for the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Programmes

The Liberia Decentralization Support Program - LDSP

Hon. Edward K. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Research and Development Planning, heads the Liberia Decentralization Support Program.

The National Concession Conflicts Resolution Office (NCCRO) 

Hon. McDonald T. Wlemus head the National Concession Conflicts Resolution Office.

Historical Context/Background
In Liberia, concession agreements are the legal framework for economic activity in the country's mining and agriculture sectors. However, it is observed that ownership of land has been granted to concession companies by the government without the total involvement of people who live or depend on the land for livelihood and economic activities.
 

Goals/ Objectives
Sensing out the growing danger concession-related conflicts pose to national peace and security, the National Concession Conflicts Resolution Office (NCCRO) was set up in 2015 at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) during the Presidency of Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to find a way forward. The NCCRO, as a major component of the MLG, therefore, has a statutory mandate or role to help prevent, manage, reduce, and resolve the concession-related conflicts nationwide in a timely fashion. By this, it means that the NCCRO is obliged to proactively and robustly handle conflicts arising between various concessionaries and project-affected communities objectively or fairly to arrive at durable solutions. The NCCRO is also under an obligation to monitor and help enforce compliance with the contents and spirit of existing Mineral Development Agreements (MDAs), Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), and Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) signed between various stakeholders in Concession areas.
The NCCRO receives support from organizations such as UN Women and other well-meaning organizations. Hon. Lahai G. Lassana became its first Executive Director, followed by Hon. Reginald Mehn. NCCRO is currently headed by Hon. McDonald T. Wlemus with a total workforce of twenty (22).
 

Key achievements of the National Concession Conflicts Resolution Office
(NCCRO), Ministry of Internal Affairs, now Ministry of Local Government (MLG), includes:

  • Capacity Building for Conflict Monitoring: The NCCRO has actively enhanced the skills of Concession Conflicts Monitoring Officers through orientation workshops focused on conflict mapping, community engagement, and identifying and resolving disputes.

  • Establishment of Community Dialogue Mechanisms: The office has focused on setting up and strengthening local mechanisms for early warning and conflict resolution, improving engagement between concession companies and local communities, particularly regarding land disputes.

  • Facilitating Community- Company Relations: The NCCRO has brought together local government, affected communities, civil society, and companies to discuss and resolve conflicts related to land and natural resource management.

  • Promoting Women's Inclusion in Land Governance: The office has worked to enhance women's knowledge of policies around concessions and their capacity to participate in community conflict mediation.

  • Development of a Specialized Monitoring Framework: The NCCRO, along with the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), has worked to strengthen companies' adherence to social and community development obligations.

  • Operationalization of the "Roadmap" for Concession Management:
    The Office has contributed to creating a central repository of knowledge regarding concessions, helping to harmonize the regulatory framework for handling land disputes.

Impact on Key Sectors
The work of the NCCRO has directly supported stability in sectors including:

  • Palm Oil and Rubber: Addressing land-related disputes in major plantation areas.

  • Mining: Supporting social cohesion in areas impacted by mining operations.

These efforts have been crucial in ensuring that concessions contribute to economic growth while reducing tensions between investors and local communities.

 

The National Council of Chiefs Support Office

Hon. Joseph S. Cooper heads the National Council of Chiefs Support Office.

The Liberia Peace Building Office

Hon. Sheikh Kamara heads the Liberia Peace Building Office.

The GREAT Project

The Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT Project) leadership is a triumvirate consiting of Deputy Minister for Research and Development Planning, Hon. Edward K. Mulbah (Oversight Responsibility); Mr. Festus Tarpah (Tecnical Focal Person) and Mr. Winston A. Collins (ICT Focal Person).

Office of the National Peace Ambassador

Hon. Amb. Eric S. Quaqua heads the Office of the National Peace Ambassador.