By: Emmanuel Toe
The National Benefit Sharing Trust Board (NBSTB) has terminated the contract of its former secretariat head, Roberto Kollie, despite a government investigation that cleared him of allegations of financial misconduct.
The board cited the expiration of Kollie’s tenure as the basis for its decision but has not provided additional public justification.
The dismissal follows a recommendation by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) that Kollie be reinstated after a four-month investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Kollie, 41, who led the NBSTB secretariat from January 2021, said his removal was linked to internal disagreements over transparency and accountability in the management of land rental revenues intended for forest communities.
The NBSTB oversees the distribution of benefits from logging companies to affected communities.
The controversy began on November 25, 2024, when Edward Teah, a forest community leader in Grand Gedeh County, requested L$702,494.61 (approximately US$3,753), representing a portion of land rental fees paid by International Consultant Capital (ICC), a logging company operating in River Cess, Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties.
Kollie said he declined the request due to discrepancies in previous financial reports, including a US$240 payment allegedly made to another community leader, Federick Soloe.
Teah subsequently filed a formal complaint accusing Kollie of withholding documents and soliciting a US$600 bribe.
In January 2025, the board suspended Kollie pending the FDA investigation. The probe concluded there was no evidence that he solicited or received bribes and no proof of delayed payments.
It described the allegations as largely speculative and stated that Kollie acted within his mandate to strengthen financial oversight.
The FDA further recommended an operational audit and a retreat to clarify roles and responsibilities within the board.
Kollie maintains that his insistence on stricter financial controls, including raising concerns about incomplete projects and certain proposed expenditures, contributed to tensions within the institution.
The case has renewed debate over governance, transparency and accountability in Liberia’s forestry sector, particularly regarding the management of funds meant for communities impacted by logging operations.
