Nimopoh Community Assembly (CA) Sinoe County

Concession and Community Forestry- Nimopoh CFMB Perspective

Jaryee Victor KelgbehChairman CFMB Nimopoh

Introduction -former USAID investment area

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• Nimopoh CA and FDA signed CFMA in 2010

• CFMA covers 7,260 hectares of forested land

• Golden Veroleum 1. 6 billion Concession signed into law in 2006, covers 220,000 hectares

• GVL propose land area for Nimopoh is 8,000 hectares; close to the CF site

• Huge pressure on CF as a result of GVL land take

Sinoe County – former USAID investment area

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Concession missteps…

• No prior informed consent which led to community resistance to GVL operation

• No community participation in GVL plantation development

• No recognition of CFMA or the CF management plan by County Authority and GVL

• GVL established 50 hectares nurseries with no compensation to customary land owners

Concessions and Community what is happening…

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GVL is beginning to correct missteps as a result of CFMB engagement; a good start?????

• Conducting community mapping

• Ongoing discussion between GVL and community about possible review of social agreement

• Identifying and demarcating sacred sites from concession area

• Pressure to adhere to international standards (GA,RSPO, etc…)

Current Issues• Pressure on primary forest

for farmland increasing• 50 ha. cleared for nurseries

& plantations without fair compensation

• GVL Expected to plant 8,000 hectares for operation around the CF which post serious pressure on the CF

• No recognition of the CFMA by county and GVL authority

• Overlap of GVL and CFMA terms over ownership of forest resources (Who has RIGHTS over the forest resources?)

What is the best model for Concessions and CF ?

Suggestion….

• To maintain CF and determine best land use

options• Ensure community PARTICIPATION in local and

public decision that affect the community or CF

• Recognize the existence of the CFMA and involve CFMB in land use decision making

What are the needed incentives?

• Fair Compensation for land and the use of any forest resources

• Compliance with acceptable international standards for benefit sharing and environment

• Biodiversity values from the CF• The protection of natural heritage, sacred

sites and CF