This report is the result of two years of research and information gathering. It brings together a wide range of issues directly related to the logging industry in Liberia and focuses extensively on the Oriental Timber Company (OTC) as it represents a typical example of ‘what is wrong with the Liberian logging industry’. This report addresses various corrupt practices in the industry, fostered by a lack of transparency, and how it fuels the silent destruction of Liberia’s rainforest. It is a testimony of plunder, deprivation, conflict, discontentment, and environmental degradation as never before seen in Liberia. It demonstrates how local people continue to live in abject poverty while foreign businessmen siphon millions of dollars out of the country.

The information herein also demonstrates how the Government of Liberia is in breach of the Liberian Constitution as outlined in Chapter II; Article 7. “The Republic shall, consistent with the principles of individual freedom and social justice enshrined in this Constitution, manage the national economy and the natural resources of Liberia in such manner as shall ensure the maximum feasible participation of Liberian citizens under conditions of equality as to advance the general welfare of the Liberian people and the economic development of Liberia.”

But this report doesn’t merely criticize the Forest Development Authority (FDA); it presents vital evidence of destructive logging practices, environmentally unfriendly road construction, the extremely high waste of timber and timber products, and environmental and human rights abuses.

This report presents the hard and hurtful truth with a single objective in mind—to stimulate an informed public debate about the future of Liberia’s rainforest, the conduct of logging companies and the appropriation of revenue from the industry. We publish this report in fulfillment of our obligation, as citizens of Liberia, under the New National Forestry Law as stipulated therein: “Offenses under this law and the Regulations shall be reported by law enforcement officers, members of plant protection forces, private security officer, forestry officers of the Authority, and any private individual to Government”.

It presents the international community with the information it needs to fully understand the gravity of the problems facing the Liberian forest and people. And finally, it advances proposals for the Liberian government to ‘clean up’ the industry for the benefit of Liberia and its people.