The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) with support from Lantmäteriet, Swedish Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authority, through the Capacity Building for Inclusive Land Administration and Management Project (ILAMP), has ended a two-day orientation training workshop on LLA-approved Operational and Administrative Manuals sponsored by the World Bank through the Liberia Land Administration Project (LLAP) for staff of County Land Offices in Gbarnga, Bong County.
According to LLA press release, the Training Objective is “To provide an overview of the LLA’s approved operational and administrative manuals.”
The release says the event brought together staff from nine LLA county land offices, namely; Lofa, Nimba, Bong, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Margibi and Montserrado counties, respectively.
The Mayor of Gbarnga City, Bong County, Lucia Herbert praised the LLA for the level of work done over the years and called on the leadership to continue to do more.
She thanked donors, particularly the World Bank for helping the LLA to develop these manuals.
Mayor Herbert further praised the Swedish government through the Lantmäteriet/ILAMP project for the support to bring such a huge number of LLA staff together. She called on the LLA family to continue to work with the local county authorities for the betterment of all.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Commissioners and staff, LLA Chairman, Atty. J. Adams Manobah, Sr., firstly expressed thanks and appreciation to the World Bank and Lantmäteriet-ILAMP project team for developing the manuals and organizing the two-day event.
He further called on all staff of the LLA to act on the One-LLA vision, adding that it comes with protecting the image of the LLA.
“My great staff and leaders of the land sector. You are key in land service delivery hence your role is vital to the enhancement of the land sector”, Chairman Manobah stressed.
He said all is not good, yet, but all can be good with sacrifice, saying “I know we are all challenged to some extent. I know we are not there yet, but; I am optimistic about a greater result in the coming years.”
Attorney Monabah challenged employees of LLA, saying all I need from everyone is all to add value to the work you do, be honest and put your country first when caring about your duties. Land disputes and conflict is a threat to national security.
He continued: “This is why I am asking or calling on all of you County Land Administrators and Resident County Surveyors to please work with the local authorities. They are our host and they are our partners in our quest to land reform which includes the minimization of land disputes and conflicts within our respective counties.”
He expressed gratitude to partners (World Bank, Lantmäteriet/ILAMP, USAID, and Tenure Facility) for their commitment and support over the years. adding “We at the Land Authority are grateful and will remain grateful to all of those partners. I may not be able to mention here yet who are committed to helping us make effective the land sector of our country.”
Chairman Monabah said the challenges may be higher yet they can work together in resolving them at their various offices. He said the truth is, even if you are being helped, it is needful you also work even harder to help yourself so that those who are helping can be motivated or encouraged to do more.
“We can attract more if we do more. We must work together. Working together means working with our Oversight Commissioners when there is a problem, especially when it is beyond your control as head of the County Land Office.”
He encouraged staff at county offices to serve as ambassadors of the Authority, saying “Be an ambassador of your community. Be that change you want to see in the coming years. I know it won’t be easy on this journey. I am confident we can get there if and only if we can do the right thing and be able to work as a team.”
For any country to develop, the land sector is the root of its development and social economic prosperity. As you leave from here, leave with that mindset to make a difference.
We are ONE-LLA yes, we are that one unique family working together for the common good of the Liberian people.
Chairman Monabah further said that the law calls for the decentralization of the functions of the LLA, which directly supports national government policy on decentralization, thus this shows how vital the county land offices and staff are to the operation of the LLA in the country.
He received a huge round of applause from staff of the LLA after he announced that the LLA again maintained a passing grade (77%) under the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) scorecard, noting that said achievement is a result of every single staff of the Authority.
Day one (1) of the training focused on presentation of the LLA Human Resource, M & E and Performance Management System Manuals, while day two focused on the importance of the Internal Communication Strategy, Organizational Manual and Training Policy Manual, respectively. Press Release
