By Patrick Teah, Jr.
The Community Forestry Development Committee (CFDC) has turned over a newly completed US$56,000 town hall to residents of Gbalakpo Clan in Grand Kru County, marking a major community development milestone linked to forestry benefit-sharing.
The facility, dedicated in Filorken Town, drew local leaders, elders, women, and youth who celebrated the long-anticipated project.
CFDC Chairman Vincent Doe told Variety News that under the 2006 National Forestry Reform Law, forest-adjacent communities are entitled to 30 percent of revenues generated from commercial logging through the National Benefit Sharing Trust Board.
He explained that the Forest Management Contract (FMC) Area “P”—spanning more than 111,000 hectares across Maryland, Grand Kru, and River Gee—is currently operated by Atlantic Resources Logging Company under a 26-year concession.
The Gbalakpo Clan selected the construction of a town hall as its chosen benefit project.
Doe noted that FMC Area “P” includes communities such as Buah, Fopoh, and Gbalakpo, and encouraged residents to safeguard their forests as interest in the sector continues to grow.
During the ceremony, an elder expressed gratitude in the local dialect for the completed structure.
However, Grand Kru County Council Chief Chair Jeleh Doe appealed for water facilities in future projects, pointing out that the new building lacks a hand pump.
“Water is life,” he emphasized.
