GOL will not halt logging operations – FDA

Mr. Woods comments come amidst claims of illegal logging activities going on in Grand Bassa County.

An environmental rights group, Green Advocates, among many others recently argued that logging operations are taking place in the absence of an environmental license from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

However, Mr. Woods Thursday said commercial logging wouldn’t be stopped at the expense of what he calls the other pillars-community and conservation. 

“We are not going to stop commercial logging because if we do so we will be breaching the very law that we created,” Woods said.

He disclosed that there are some who are thinking that FDA should halt logging operations in the Country, but noted that this point doesn’t make sense. He said FDA can’t abandon commercial logging because it is a sector that creates employment all over the country.

Managing Director Woods indicated that the forest sector generate income for government. He said the sector is visible to rural dwellers that government is including them in the economy of the country. 

Mr. Woods noted that it is prudent for the government not to exploit available resources for development purposes. 

He argued that government can’t borrow money because it is heavily indebted in the tone of US$3.5 billion and asked - “Where will government get money from to initiative basic development need of the people.” 

He disclosed that Liberia projection of the next fiscal year is US$400 million of expenditure while its revenue source is US$290 million wondering where do we get the balance if we stop commercial logging which would contribute to the country revenue.