– Seeks to safeguard wetlands and biodiversity
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Honorable House of Representatives- HOR, has mandated a joint committee on Mines, Energy, Natural Resources & Environment, WASH, and Judiciary, to review a bill seeking the establishment of Paynesville Ecotourism Zone, 2024.
Plenary reached the decision on Thursday, July 4, 2024, following a communication from Montserrado County District 5 Representative, Priscilla Abram Cooper. Representative Cooper is quoted as saying, that the bill seeks to create an Ecotourism zone that will focus on safeguarding the Paynesville wetland and its diverse range of biodiversity.
She said the proposed zone aims to promote sustainable tourism practices while ensuring the protection and preservation of the natural environment in Paynesville. The Montserrado County Lawmaker said the bill emphasizes the importance of balancing economic development with environmental conservation efforts.
The joint committee, which has been tasked with reviewing the bill, is expected to provide a report within a timeframe of two weeks. This review process will involve a detailed examination of the proposed legislation, taking into account various factors such as environmental impact, economic feasibility, and legal implications.
Meanwhile, the outcome of such a review will play a crucial role in determining the future of the Paynesville Ecotourism Zone and its potential contributions to both the local community and the broader ecosystem.
Flooding in Liberia
A June 20, 2024, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) report shows that torrential rainfall in Monrovia and its environs has caused flash, coastal, and river basin flooding affecting over 35 communities in the last 72 hours. According to a joint assessment conducted by the NDMA local community structures and the Liberian Red Cross Community-Based Action Teams (CBATs) during the last five days in Monrovia and adjacent communities, about 35 communities have reported experiencing flooding over the last 72 hours.
It further reveals that data reported say that about 22,060 persons were caught up in the floods leading to temporary displacement, loss of valuable household items, and huge exposure to risks of disease outbreaks, loss of habitat (sheltering opportunities), livelihoods mechanisms, and water source pollution. “About 60% of the affected people are women, children, and other vulnerable groups of people including physically challenged, single mothers, among others seeking shelter with neighbors and relatives in adjacent unflooded communities,” IFRC discloses.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is a worldwide humanitarian aid organization that reaches 160 million people each year through its 191 member National Societies.
Liberia’s highest recorded flood incident was on 4th September 2023, in Monrovia flood-prone and low-lying areas affecting an overall of 12,450 people.
From 1st to 4th September 2023, Liberia experienced excessive heavy rainfall in several cities with the highest flooding reported in the North-Eastern counties of Liberia: Grand Cape Mount, Bong, and Montserrado. Areas especially affected are Kru Town; Gbarnga City and Monrovia’s coastal and urban side as well as the surrounding areas.
In total, around 15,200 people were reported to have been affected by both urban and coastal floods which swept away infrastructure, fishing settlements, houses, communities’ facilities, etc. On 4th September, Monrovia and its environs recorded the major impact following the five days of cumulative rains from 30 August that affected approximately 12,450 persons (1,778 HHs). The affected were mostly surrounding Moronvia or bordering Sierra Leone and the river crossing the North Est of the country.
The bill
Provided in ten desperate sections, the bill seeking the establishment of the Paynesville Ecotourism Zone, 2024 considers a Declaration, objectives, Metes and Bounds, Establishment of a Buffer Zone, and Formation of the Paynesville, among others. It states: Section 1. Short Title: this Act shall be known as “Paynesville Ecotourism Zone, PEZ”, 2024
Section 3: Declaration
The government of the Republic of Liberia is mandated to promote tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participatory, culturally Sensitive, economically viable, and equitable for the local community. Towards this end, the Paynesville wetland is hereby declared a special eco-tourism zone. It shall be accorded priority development by the Development of Environment and ecosystem resources and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of ecotourism zones as adopted.
Section 4: Objectives
A. Ensure the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of the ecotourism zone of the Paynesville wetland: b. Ensure environmental protection for management and ance c. Promote ecotourism by developing and sustaining ecotourism of the ecosystems, including water quality and solid stability activities that provide educational and recreational opportunities while generating economic benefits for local communities: d. Facilitate scientific research and environmental education program that shall focus on the ecological and cultural significance of the mangrove swamps; Ensure that the quality of local ecotourism programs and activities are educational and enriched for tourists and visitors; Develop ecotourism products and programs that will generate employment and livelihood for the local residents concerned, consistent with the preservation and maintenance program of Paynesville wetland.
Section 5: Metes and Bounds
Immediately upon the passage of this Act, the metes and bounds of the Paynesville Ecotourism Zone (PEZ) shall be determined through an authorized survey and same shall be registered with the national government. Said parcel of land shall be demarcated and declared a zone for tourism purposes within the Paynesville Community.
Section 6: Establishment of Buffer Zone
There shall be buffer zones surrounding the Paynesville Ecotourism Zone (PEZ) to provide extra protection around the designated area, where restrictions shall apply and communities can assist in repairing threats to the zone. Such buffer zones shall be managed according to the ecotourism development and management plan formulated pursuant to this Act and shall be included in the ecotourism development and management plan of the Paynesville Ecotourism Zone (PEZ) as provided. The management plan shall take into consideration solid and liquid wastes management; and solutions addressing the problem of the declining Population of the water species living among the mangroves in the swamps.
Section 7: Formation of the Paynesville
Wetland and Ecotourism Council: A Paynesville Wetland and Ecotourism Development Council (PWEDC) shall be established. Its membership shall comprise nine (9) persons of which (6 shall be statutory including the Mayor of the City of Paynesville, the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism; the Liberia Land Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency: and one member each from the House of Representative and the Liberian Senate from the Paynesville Wetland Communities and three (3) non-statutory members to be appointed by the President of the Republic of Liberia: Chairperson of the Council, youth representative, and Women representative.
Non-statutory members shall serve as Chairman for three (3) years. a. The Chairperson of the Council shall be one of the heads of the communities in which the zone is located and the same is subject to appointment by the President of the Republic of Liberia. b. The Mayor of the City of Paynesville -Co-Ghairman c. The head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – member d. Minister of Information, Cultural and Tourism – member e. The Land Authority – member f. 1 Representative from the Liberian Senate, and 1 Representative from the House of Representatives g. Youth representative-member h. Women representative – member Members of the council shall serve without compensation, except for the actual and necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, either in their attendance of the Council meetings or in connection with other official business authorized through a resolution of the Council subject to existing rules and regulations. The Council shall develop a national management and development plan for wetland and mangrove forests that will protect, preserve, and manage facilities designated for tourism purposes.
Section 8. Removal of member
A member of the Council may be removed for any of the following reasons a. Termination of services with the office or organization being represented b. Conviction by final judgment of any criminal act C. Disassociation from the office or organization being represented d. Commission of acts prejudicial to the development and management of the PEZ as embedded in the existing rules and regulations governing the Paynesville Ecotourism Zone (PEZ)
Section 9: The Secretariat
The local government of the City of Paynesville shall provide a Secretariat for the Ecotourism Zone including the funding necessary to cover the expenses for the performance of its official functions and activities.
To do administrative and practical work to lead the ecotourism activities, the Secretariat of Paynesville Wetland Ecotourism Zone is established within the Council. A staff of the City Government, a Community leader, and a representative of a tourism agency are core members of the Secretariat. The role of each stakeholder in the Secretariat shall be specified in the action plan to be developed by the Secretariat and approved by the Board.
Section 10: Appropriation
There shall be a budgetary allocation as subsidies for the succeeding years in the National Budget, subject to government audit. PEZC shall raise funds from international donors and other philanthropists to support the sustainability of the zone. It shall also compensate other staff of the zone from said revenue.
The subsidies for the implementation of this act shall be specifically included in the annual budget for the development programs. Twenty-209 % of the proceeds or dividend from the ecotourism zone shall be deposited into Central Government revenue. The remaining 80% shall be appropriated by the Council to ensure the sustainability of the zone.
