Monrovia – Women from Grand Cape Mount and Bomi Counties in Western Liberia have warned the Malaysian Oil Palm Company, Sime Darby, to focus on fulfilling promises made to the communities affected by its operations.
Report by Edwin G. Genoway, Jr. [email protected]
The women through their representative, Yassah Augustine, gave the management of the company a three-month ultimatum to provide school and modern latrine for the people of the counties.
“We gave them three months to build our school and latrine as well as providing bus for the students. You should not think that three months is plenty or it is a year,” Madam Augustine said.
She threatened that failure on the part of the company, women of the two counties will take the streets where the company operates.
Madam Augustine represents the women from the two counties on the Project Affected Areas (PAC).
The PAC is a liaison group founded by residents of the counties to serve as a bridge between the people and the company on one hand and government on another.
She spoke at a one-day multi-stakeholders’ roundtable meeting organized by the National Bureau of Concession (NBC) and funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The meeting, which was held at NBC offices, brought together people from the two counties where the company operates.
The meeting was interactive and was intended to find a remedy to the many controversies between Sime Darby and residents of the counties.
The Director General of the National Bureau of Concession (NBC), Mr. Gregory Coleman, in his opening remarks, called for mutual understanding between community members and authorities of the company.
He said the intent of government giving companies concession in various counties is for the people to benefit from those companies expressing interests.
He noted if companies are managed properly, it will benefit every Liberian no matter what the company is involved with.
Coleman urged community residents to welcome the concessionaires as they (investors) try to invest in their communities.
Coleman, a former Police Inspector General, also disclosed that some of the biggest disturbances that occur in Liberia are from concession areas. He made specific reference to the incidence that happened in Yekepa, Nimba County when expatriates of ArcelorMiattal were held hostage by angry mob few months ago.
Coleman called on both counties’ residents to make the right decision whenever problem arises.
The NBC boss noted that it is government’s responsibility to take care of its people; adding, “It is also the responsibility of the people to abide by the rule of law.”
Mr. Coleman further stated that the locals’ presence in the meeting, proved that they in the concession areas are also willing to be a part of dialogue process.
He hoped that the problem residents outlined will be solved before October this year.
The Chairman of the Project Affected Communities (PAC), Abraham Kromah, said Sime Darby’s agreement is good but the company is not living up to what had been documented between government and the community.
Kromah said teachers at the company school are not employed. He added, “It was agreed upon that Sime Darby constructs modern latrines, but the company has failed.”
The PAC Chairman also explained that the company agreed to construct the PAC office, which was estimated at US$20,000 but the company is yet to live up to that commitment.
He said Sime Darby authorities do not have fear for the Liberian government.
“The people cannot implement; they are not afraid of the Liberian government, because they say our government is in their pocket. The company cannot implement until you block roads before they can move,” he said.
He continued, “If they notice that there is a demonstration that’s when they can quickly move in because they do not want the international community to know what they are doing.”
The Chairman of Zodua in Grand Cape Mount County, one of the affected communities, A. Bai Sembeh, also called on government to prevail on the company to adhere to agreement between government and the company.
Contrary to threat of demonstration by the women, the Chairman of Zodua has promised that there will be no trouble on the plantation.
“We are not going to make any trouble that we assure you. We have been calmed and we will remain calm as we await government to intervene, so we can know our benefit from Sime Darby,” he said.
The meeting was interactive with residents pointing out issues affecting them in the company’s operation areas.
They outlined road construction, transportation, payment of employees and contractors working for the company, construction of modern latrine, and schools among others as issues the company needs to address as spelled out in the agreement.
Responding to issues raised by community members, the Acting General Manager of Sime Darby said the company is willing to learn and is open to correction.
Alikamal Abu Hassan said his company is prepared to follow what is in the agreement and agreed to fulfill it.
He, however, on behalf of his company begged for time to implement some of the promises and projects.
“We have no option but to implement what is in the agreement, once it is in the agreement we are bound to do it, but we need time,” Hassan pleaded.
Speaking further on the way forward, the Acting Managing Director of Sime Darby said the company is willing to learn and is open to correction.
UNDP project manager Staley Kamara commended the residents for expressing what’s affecting them and their communities.
Kamara said the issues raised by the women are issues that can spark confusion or bring about war; adding, “I am happy that the women have spoken loud on these issues, hope the issues will be addressed and resolved,” he said.
He called for more to be done in the fair distribution of benefits of land for the people affected. He said the UNDP will work with the NBC and Land Authority in moving forward.