Sirleaf cancels concessions
07/02/2006 22:35  - (SA)  

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Monrovia - New Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as part of a clampdown on corruption, has cancelled all forest concession agreements entered into by previous governments, reports said on Tuesday.

The Liberian leader issued "executive order number one" late on Monday shortly after her return from a one-day visit to Niger.

Forestry development authority spokesperson John T Woods welcomed the president's decision, saying reform of the forestry sector would encourage the UN security council to lift sanctions imposed on Liberian timber in 2003.

Former Liberian tyrant Charles Taylor gave away 26 million acres of forest land under concession agreements, Woods explained.

The forest concessionaires, however, owed the government $64m (about R200m) in revenue, with only 14% of forest revenue having been collected.

He expressed optimism that the forestry sector would generate between $15m and $20m for the Liberian government annually.

President Sirleaf said the decision was based on "findings of the concession review committee of Liberia and the mandate of the UN secretary-general".

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