By Rocheford Gardiner
LIBERIA – Farmers Union and Cross Border Women Association on Monday, July 25, blockaded the main entrance of the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) and Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP).
The farmers claim that the MOPP (which shares one Central Management with the CRC, in a conglomerate known as the SIFCA Group – headquartered in Ivory Coast) had encouraged them to plant oil palm since 2014 – with the agreement that it would buy their produce at an international price – something which they claimed MOPP has failed to do.
According to Oliver Hne, Vice President for the protesting Union in Maryland County, the failure of the oil palm company to live up to their agreement they were forced to outsource their products to buyers in Ivory Coast.
Oliver said all went well until Wednesday, July 20, when MOPP stopped all other vehicles from accessing the only operational ferry over the Cavalla River. He said all attempts to get the intervention of the County Administration failed.
Several trucks filled with palms – are currently stalled near the Pedeboe crossing point on the Liberian side of the border with the Ivory Coast.
Hne warns that the companies will have to pay for the product if they rot, threatening severe consequences and a continuation of their blockade.
The Cross Border Women Association – for their part – claim that the ferry issue has been a serious problem for them for some time now.
Speaking to Rocheford Gardiner, Smart News Liberia reporter Monday, July 25, Comfort Wilson, Vice President for the Cross Border Women Association (and also a member of the farmers Union), said several women from Sinoe, River Gee, Grand Kru, Grand Gedeh and even Monrovia – are currently held-up in the area because more than ten (10) large trucks filled with basic commodities are stuck up on the Ivorian side of the border because the companies have ordered that no other vehicle be allowed through.
They say they are prepared to continue with the blockade for as long as it takes until the ferry is made accessible to all.
