By T. Ezekiel Geeplay
MONROVIA, Mar 1 (LINA) – The plenary of the House of Representatives has summoned Mano Oil Palm Plantation and the National Bureau of Concession to appear before the body on Thursday, March 6,2025 to address concerns regarding the plantation’s delinquency and non-performance.
The House’s decision stems from a communication from Montserrado County Electoral District 4 Representative Atty. Michael Thomas, in which he highlighted significant issues concerning Mano Palm Oil Industries Limited (MPOI).
Since its establishment in 2016, MPOI has been a leading Liberian palm oil corporation. In 2019, the company acquired Sime Darby Liberia, renaming it Mano Palm Oil Plantation (MPOP).
MPOP now ranks among Liberia’s top plantation companies, with palm oil being the predominant crop covering 10,324.72 hectares. The company reportedly has the capacity to export an average of 10,000MT per month of ECOWAS-certified palm oil.
However, Representative Thomas cited numerous complaints from residents and workers against the plantation, including:
Poor labor practices and inadequate safety measures, leading to injuries and fatalities among plantation workers.
The residents’ complaint also highlighted illegal encroachment beyond the concession area, neglected farm management, leaving the plantation bushy and hazardous for workers, lack of lighting in concession areas, insufficient buses for student transportation, inadequate and poor school facilities for students, failure to remit land rental fees to affected communities.
The Montserrado County lawmaker says, Mano Oil Palm Company has allegedly refused to enhance local employment in senior positions as per the concession agreement, which mandates that 50% of employment opportunities be given to Liberians, with 75% of top management positions reserved for Liberians.
He added that the company has also failed to improve infrastructure and provide adequate housing for local workers, offer employee protections and benefits, address issues affecting workers’ dependents, settle substantial financial obligations with the community, fulfill corporate social responsibility commitments to the county among others.
“Hon. 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, which should positively impact the livelihood of residents and contribute to the county’s development”, Representative Thomas stated.
The House of Representatives assured the public that it remains committed to ensuring compliance with concession agreements and protecting the interests of affected communities.