A Verity News investigation has uncovered a growing scandal at Liberia’s National Benefit Sharing Trust Board (NBSTB), sending shockwaves through the country’s forestry sector.
Serious allegations of corruption, conflict of interest, and misuse of public funds are raising urgent concerns about the management of millions of dollars intended to benefit forest-affected communities.
Established to manage 30% of land rental fees paid by logging companies under Forest Management Contracts (FMCs) and Timber Sales Contracts (TSCs), the NBSTB was envisioned as a vehicle for transparency, accountability, and community development.
But mounting evidence suggests the institution has strayed far from its founding principles.
Chairman in the Spotlight
At the center of the controversy is Mr. Solomon S. Peters, Chairman of the NBSTB and a senior official in the National Union of Community Forestry Development Committees (NUCFDCs).
Peters is accused of manipulating board decisions, misappropriating community funds, and orchestrating the removal of the Board’s former Head of Secretariat, Mr. Roberto T. Kollie, an outspoken advocate for financial accountability.
Whistleblower Targeted for Demanding Accountability
Mr. Kollie, who served from January 2021 to January 2025, gained respect for his insistence on transparency and fiscal discipline, particularly in the financial reporting of Community Forestry Development Committees (CFDCs).
However, his push for reforms reportedly clashed with Chairman Peters’ interests.
Civil society organizations describe Kollie’s removal as retaliatory.
He was accused of financial misconduct, but an independent committee commissioned by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) later cleared him of all allegations.
Despite being vindicated, Kollie’s contract was terminated, and his appeals to the FDA have gone unanswered.
Regulatory Breaches and Financial Irregularities
Documents and interviews reviewed by Verity News reveal multiple violations under Chairman Peters’ leadership:
Illegal Compensation of the Chairman:
Peters allegedly received a monthly salary during Kollie’s suspension, a direct violation of FDA Regulation 114-10, Section Four, which prohibits NBSTB board members from receiving compensation.
Loaning Community Funds to an Affiliated Entity:
In June 2024, the Board approved a $15,000 loan to the NUCFDCs, where Peters also served as Project Finance Officer, a clear conflict of interest. Although the NUCFDCs later received funding from the FAO, only half the loan has been repaid.
Disregard for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Findings:
A September 2024 M&E report recommended a moratorium on funding to the CFDC of FMC-K in Grand Gedeh County, led by Mr. Edward Q. Teah, citing poor financial performance and the need for financial training.
The Board ignored the recommendations and disbursed funds without any training. Notably, Teah played a leading role in the false accusations against Kollie.
Intimidation and Coercion:
Sources allege that during his suspension, Kollie was pressured by Peters to “cooperate” with the Board’s agenda in exchange for reinstatement. Peters reportedly expressed frustration that Kollie’s commitment to due diligence was undermining his political influence among CFDC members.
FDA’s Silence Under Scrutiny
Despite documented violations and whistleblower retaliation, the FDA, tasked with establishing and overseeing the NBSTB, has yet to issue a public statement or take disciplinary action.
“This level of impunity is unacceptable,” said a senior official from a leading environmental watchdog. “The FDA must not allow internal politics or personal networks to jeopardize public trust and the effective use of community funds.”
Civil Society Demands Immediate Action
A growing coalition of civil society organizations is calling for:
A forensic audit of NBSTB finances and decision-making;
The suspension or dismissal of implicated officials, including Chairman Peters;
FDA intervention to restore lawful governance;
Long-term institutional reforms to safeguard transparency and community interests
“This crisis undermines the entire framework of Liberia’s community forestry model,” warned one forestry sector expert. “If the NBSTB loses credibility, the communities it was created to serve will suffer the most.”
With the NBSTB’s future, and the rights of thousands of forest-dwelling Liberians, hanging in the balance, the response from the FDA and the Liberian government will be seen as a defining test of the nation’s commitment to good governance, community empowerment, and sustainable forest management.
