spot_imgspot_img
Tuesday, October 8, 2024

CLASHES ERUPT BETWEEN FARMERS AND MOPP OVER PALM OIL RAIDS IN MARYLAND

Date:

By Rocheford T. Gardiner

MARYLAND COUNTY, LIBERIA – A growing conflict has erupted in Pleebo District between the Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) and local farmers. The tension stems from allegations by MOPP that private farm owners and residents have been stealing palm oil to produce consumable oil for the local market.

Pleebo Magisterial Court Solicitor Seorweh Jaycheneh confirmed that MOPP had requested a “Search and Seizure” warrant, valid from September 3 to 23, 2024. This warrant permits searches for and confiscation of palm oil within MOPP’s operational areas. In response, the Liberia National Police’s elite Emergency Response Unit (ERU) began conducting raids in various locations.

On Monday, September 9, 2024, the situation escalated when ERU extended their operations to Gbaykehn, a town in the Barikehn area. The residents resisted, resulting in scuffles between the ERU and locals. In a dramatic turn, residents released the “Country Devil” (a traditional masquerade) and set up roadblocks in protest.

Later that day, the ERU moved to the main Pleebo-Harper highway, specifically to Barikehn, where several homes were raided, and an unspecified amount of palm oil was confiscated. Court and MOPP officials reportedly accompanied the police during these operations.

According to local residents, ERU officers assaulted at least two individuals and arrested three others, including an elderly man known only as Blessing. Witnesses, such as Leo Johnson, claimed that Blessing was held in an open pickup truck for several hours while heavy rain poured down.

When contacted, Pleebo police officials, who requested anonymity, stated that the elderly man was briefly detained because he poked an ERU officer, causing the officer to fear that the gesture had spiritual implications. However, they later determined that the man was mentally challenged and released him. The police also denied firing shots into the air or assaulting anyone during the raids.

The incident disrupted the town’s weekly market day on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, as no palm oil was available for sale. Some vendors refrained from displaying other goods, fearing further raids by the police, who they believed were acting unpredictably.

Barikehn’s Chief, Edwin Wadeh, expressed helplessness in the face of the court-issued warrant, saying he could only inform the townspeople. His inaction has drawn criticism from residents who believe he failed to protect their interests.

The broader question in Maryland County is whether MOPP holds exclusive rights over all palm trees and oil production in its operational area, effectively preventing anyone else from producing or selling palm oil for local consumption. Some reports indicate that MOPP had an arrangement with smallholder farmers, promising to purchase all their palm harvests in exchange for the farmers not producing their own oil. However, it is alleged that the company has been in arrears for three months, causing financial strain on the farmers.

Efforts to obtain a comment from MOPP have been unsuccessful, as the company has consistently refused to speak with the press.

smartnews
Smart News Liberia is an online news outlet and a product of Smart Media Group Inc. Our website, smartnewsliberia.com, covers a broad spectrum of news content. For inquiries or information, you can reach us at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or email us at smartnewsliberia@gmail.com or info@smartnewsliberia.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

BOAKAI’S MISPLACED AMBITIONS AS LIBERIA BLEEDS AND THE PRESIDENT COURTS GLOBAL VANITY

Eight months into his presidency, Joseph Boakai’s administration is...

TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MPOX – STAY ALERT, STAY PROTECTED

As Liberia confronts the resurgence of Mpox, the confirmation...

NO JUSTIFICATION FOR HIGH SALARIES OF BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AMID ECONOMIC STRUGGLES

In the midst of Liberia's current economic struggles, revelations...

LIBERIA’S POLITICAL CRISIS: A CALL FOR RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP AMID ESCALATING TENSIONS

The recent clash between the Coalition for Democratic Change...

COMMENTARY

THE MASS DISMISSAL OF LIBERIAN PUBLIC SERVANTS: A TROUBLING TREND UNDER THE BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION

A Commentary by Wondah L. Jah Since assuming the presidency,...

SECURITY RISKS: IS PRESIDENT BOAKAI UNKNOWINGLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR EARLY COUP D’ÉTAT?

In his commentary, Liberian political analyst Vandalerk R. Patricks...

IS JOSEPH BOAKAI LISTENING TO PROTESTS AROUND AFRICA?

A Commentary By Wondah L. Jah In January, Joseph Boakai,...

LATEST NEWS

IS THERE AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE BY KOUNG AND SNOWE?

MONROVIA – Alleged plan to mysteriously eliminate Unity Party...

AMID IMMINENT FALLOUT; FORMER PRO-TEMP JALLAH WANTS JNB TO LEAD EFFORT FOR OPPOSITION UNITY

By Olando Testimony Zeongar MONROVIA – Amid imminent fallout over...

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

AMID AN UNENDING WAR AGAINST POVERTY, INJUSTICES – HAS THE PROGRESSIVE STRUGGLE BECOME LOST IN TRANSLATION?

A Patriot's Diary With Ekena Wesley What manner of Liberian progressives...

HAS PRESIDENT BOAKAI’S GOVERNMENT BEGUN BEARING GOOD FRUITS? (PART1)

By Jacob N.B. Parley Following a careful reflection, I have...

ELEVATING THE AG BIBLE COLLEGE TO A UNIVERSITY: A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

By Jacob N.B. Parley After many years of successful preaching...

THE DILEMMA OF PRESIDENTIAL SUPREMACY IN LIBERIA: EXAMINING THE BALANCE OF POWER

By Dr. Clarence R. Pearson, Sr. Superior presidency is the...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link