By Grace Q. Bryant
The House of Representatives has summoned Mano Oil Palm Plantation (MPOP) and the National Bureau of Concessions to appear before lawmakers next Thursday.
The summons comes in response to growing concerns over the plantation’s alleged delinquency and failure to fulfill its obligations under the concession agreement.
Montserrado County District 4 Representative Michael Thomas raised serious allegations regarding the company’s operations.
MPOP, formerly known as Sime Darby Liberia, was acquired in 2019 by Mano Palm Oil Industries Limited (MPOI), a leading palm oil corporation in Liberia.
Since its establishment in 2016, MPOI has expanded its operations and is now managing a plantation covering 10,324.72 hectares and reportedly capable of exporting an average of 10,000 metric tons of ECOWAS-certified palm oil per month.
Despite these achievements, Representative Thomas highlighted several grievances from residents and workers regarding the company’s practices.
Among the key concerns are: the reports of inadequate safety measures leading to injuries and fatalities among workers, allegations of illegal expansion beyond the designated concession area and neglected plantation management complaints that the plantation remains bushy and hazardous for workers.
He added that absence of lighting in concession areas and insufficient transportation for students, schools within the concession area are reportedly inadequate and unconducive for learning and the company has allegedly failed to remit payments to affected communities.
Representative Thomas accused MPOP of failing to adhere to its employment obligations under the concession agreement, which mandates that 50% of jobs be given to Liberians and 75% of top management positions be held by Liberians.
The company has also been criticized for its failure to improve housing and infrastructure for local worker, provide adequate employee benefits and protections, address concerns affecting workers’ families, settle outstanding financial obligations to local communities and fulfill its corporate social responsibility commitments.
“Speaker, with all of these irregularities that substantially violate the concession agreement, it is evident that Mano Oil Palm Plantation lacks the capacity to maintain the plantation in a way that benefits the livelihood of residents and contributes to the county’s development” Representative Thomas stated.
The House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that concession agreements are properly enforced and that affected communities receive the benefits they are entitled to.
The upcoming hearing is expected to provide clarity on the alleged violations and determine the necessary courses of action.