By Moses J. Dawoe
/Southeast Correspondent
A high-level delegation from the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), accompanied by sectoral technicians, has begun a non-compliance assessment tour at the Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) and Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) in Maryland County.
The visit, which commenced on June 6, 2025, is part of a nationwide initiative to evaluate the extent to which concessionaires have adhered to the terms of their agreements with the Government of Liberia. It also seeks to assess whether initial commitments made during the signing of concession contracts have been fulfilled.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement held at Pleebo City Hall, NBC Director General Theodore Momo Jr. emphasized the critical nature of the mission.
“This tour is intended to assess both compliance and non-compliance in the operations of the concession companies, particularly focusing on their legal, environmental, labor, and social obligations,” Momo said.
The NBC team includes representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Ministry of Labor, and other technical experts. Together, they are tasked with verifying whether MOPP and CRC have met their commitments related to infrastructure development, environmental standards, employee welfare, and community engagement.
Mr. Momo Jr, added that the assessment will involve several specialized teams—including Financial and Technical Evaluation units, an Infrastructure Monitoring Team, and a Social and Environmental Compliance Unit.
As part of the process, the management of both concession companies has been instructed to assign representatives to collaborate with the visiting team during inspections of plantation sites and facilities. These inspections will analyze operational progress and identify existing challenges since the companies began operations in 2011.
“The companies have pledged their full cooperation,” Mr. Momo Jr, noted. “This partnership is essential for us to objectively evaluate their performance and address any gaps in implementation.”
He also assured local residents that the evaluation process will be conducted with transparency and fairness, adding that the findings will be shared with the public and relevant authorities.
NBC’s current visit to Maryland County follows similar assessments conducted in Upper Liberia as part of a broader national monitoring effort to strengthen things.