MARYLAND COUNTY – The Government of Liberia, through the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), has launched a full compliance monitoring exercise targeting two major concessionaires in Maryland County.
By: Peter P. Toe, Jr.
They are the Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) and the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC).
The week-long evaluation, scheduled for June 1–7, 2025, follows a directive from the National Investment Commission (NIC) to assess whether both companies are meeting their obligations under long-standing concession agreements signed over a decade ago.
The move comes in response to mounting concerns from citizens, workers, and local officials regarding labor rights violations, poor environmental practices, and limited community benefits from the operations of the two companies.
Representative Anthony F. Williams of Maryland County District 2 requested a review of the concession deals in a letter to the NIC on January 8, 2025. The NIC responded affirmatively on January 20, directing the NBC to begin immediate compliance checks.
NIC Chairman Jeff Blibo, in his letter, underscored that the findings from the monitoring process would guide an eventual revision of the concession agreements, should major gaps or violations be found.
The NBC has outlined a detailed plan for the evaluation. Activities will include high-level meetings with MOPP and CRC management, technical reviews with staff on tax compliance, production output, and environmental performance, as well as assessments of social services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Worker unions and community members will also be consulted for input.
“The goal is to ensure that the concessionaires are operating in line with the commitments they made in their agreements,” an NBC official said. “This is about transparency, accountability, and aligning operations with national and local development goals.”
For many local residents, the monitoring marks a long-awaited response to years of grievances.
“This is the accountability we’ve been asking for,” said Adolphus Mlamah, Chairperson of the Pleebo District Development Committee. “We are finally seeing government action that aligns with the needs of the people.”
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