MONROVIA – The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has strongly refuted allegations linking its Chairman, Mr. Samuel F. Kpakio, to the controversial issuance of a 500-acre Developmental Grant Deed (DGD) to a Burkinabe national in Tian Town and Bhai-Niko, Grand Gedeh County.
Speaking at a press conference over the weekend in Monrovia, the LLA Chairman, Mr. Samuel F. Kpakio described recent reports particularly from The Daylight as “baseless and misleading,” accusing the publication of attempting to damage the reputation of its Chairman and undermine confidence in the institution.
According to the him, the existing moratorium on public land transactions applies strictly to the sale and lease of public land and does not prohibit the issuance of Developmental Grant Deeds.
He maintained that the 500-acre DGD did not violate any national policy or regulation.
Chairman, Mr. Samuel F. Kpakio further explained that the decision to approve the deed was based on technical submissions from the Grand Gedeh County Land Administrator, Mr. Freeman Paye, in line with the LLA’s decentralization program that empowers County Land Offices (CLOs).
However, an internal investigation uncovered what the Authority described as a “premeditated and orchestrated plan” by the County Land Administrator and the County Land Dispute Officer to mislead central authorities and bring the institution into public disrepute. Both officials have been suspended indefinitely pending further investigation.
To restore trust within affected communities, he has deployed a team of technicians to Grand Gedeh County to begin a full customary land formalization exercise in accordance with Articles 46.1 and 46.2 of the LLA Act and the 2018 Land Rights Act. This process aims to fast-track the issuance of Statutory Customary Land Deeds.
The Authority reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, warning that any staff found engaging in acts that undermine or misrepresent the institution will face the full weight of the law. Chairman, Mr. Samuel F. Kpakio assured the public that it remains dedicated to protecting customary land rights and ensuring that all land governance processes comply with national laws and best practices.
