The management of Sime Darby Plantation Liberia has been commended by the National Bureau of Concession for speeding up with development following the mandate from the House of Representatives.
Recently the palm oil giant company was mandated by the plenary of the House of Representatives to improve on the infrastructures at its plantation and improve the living standards of its workers following a complaint filed by some lawmakers alleging the company needed to improve its community relations.
The management of the National Bureaus of Concession (NBC) as a regulatory body was also mandated to work with Sime Darby to ensure that the mandates of the House of Representatives to the company are adhered to.
In fulfilling that, the Director-General of the NBC, Gregory Coleman led a delegation to the plantation over the weekend to authenticate whether the company was in compliance.
Speaking to reporters after the tour at the plantation, Coleman said he was impressed because the company has started addressing the issue of the roofing of the houses for the employees and contractors by changing the abisters, erecting hand pumps and upgrading their facilities.
“Even the upgrading, we can say we have to sit down and come out with a long-term plan and where we want to see these things and what standards we are setting for them over a period of time. The NBC will sit with them and come out with a plan,” he said.
Coleman pointed out that previously those standards were not set for which types of housing in the agreement as to how they it should be. According to him, they are now working with the company and setting those standards as to how they want it to be in 2018 for the Liberian people.
During the visit, Coleman and team visited the clinic at the plantation, the central high school, junior high and elementary schools operated by the company, the housing units, handpumps, pit-latrines, the biggest oil mill owned and operated by the company among others.
Sime Darby Plantation’s operations in Liberia is managed by Sime Darby Plantation (Liberia) Inc. the company signed a 63-year concession agreement with the Government of Liberia to develop 220,000 ha of land in Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Gbarpolu and Bong into oil palm and rubber plantations. To date, 10,508 ha has been planted in 5 estates, namely Matambo, Grand Cape Mount, Zodua, Bomi and Lofa estates.
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