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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Social dimensions of large-scale land acquisition rights in Liberia (1900-2009): challenges and prospects for traditional settlers
Authors:Makain, Jeffrey S.ISNI
Foh, Momoh S.ISNI
Year:2009
Periodical:Liberian Studies Journal (ISSN 0024-1989)
Volume:34
Issue:1
Pages:1-40
Language:English
Geographic term:Liberia
Subjects:land law
landownership
land conflicts
enterprises
agricultural products
government policy
communities
Abstract:Concerns and tensions related to landownership rights, tenure systems and acquisition by the government of large-scale land rights for investors are growing in postwar Liberia. People are querying the legitimacy of the ways in which land has been acquired over the years. This paper examines the impact of large-scale land rights acquired by investors for the production of agricultural commodities, in this case rubber and rice, looking at two existing large concessions, viz. the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) in Grand Bassa County in the south (rubber) and the Agriculture Development Agency (ADA) Commerical, Inc. in Lofa County in northern Liberia (rice). The paper shows that traditional settlers cannot effectively protect themselves when there are conflicts over land rights because the government has eminent domain over all land; traditional settlers are not consulted during the stage of policy formulation for investors; traditional leaders represent the interest of their people but are indifferent when investors enter their communities to begin implementation without their participation. There is a high potential for displacement of large numbers of people as concessions expand their operational areas, and the government is reluctant to resolve conflicts over land rights, especially when large-scale investors are involved. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
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