Under the auspices of the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Citizens of Jogbah Clan in District #4, Grand Bassa County on Wednesday March 5, 2014 met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at her Foreign Ministry’s office in Monrovia. The meeting brought together a cross section of citizens from more than six towns opposing the expansion of the Equatorial Palm Oil Company. Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly and Grand Bassa County Superintendent Etweda A. Cooper were also in attendance at the jam-packed Cabinet Hall at the Foreign Ministry. Presenting their plight to President Sirleaf, the citizens reiterated their stern opposition to the expansion of EPO, noting that “the company should stay within its operational area.” A spokesperson of the citizens Cheo Johnson recalled that since the ratification of the EPO concession in 2012, they have been constantly intimidated with eviction. Mr. Johnson told the President that in the face of the eviction threats, Government abandoned them and joined the company to deploy police officers and security guards to manhandle them. According to Mr. Johnson, the parcel of land they currently occupy is all they have after large portion was awarded to the Liberia Agriculture Company and the Equatorial Palm Oil. Also speaking, a women’s representative Madam DehyeateeKardortold the President that they depend on the last remaining forestland for hunting, medication and farming. Representing the youth community in the District, Solomon Gbargee was full of praise for the President for encouraging freedom of speech and gender equity since she took over. However Mr. Gbargee said the situation in #4 District demanded the urgent intervention of the President because his people are living in fear as a result of the constant threat of eviction. Mr. Gbargee said the land in question is their ancestral land and citizens are prepared to preserve their historic and cultural installations. Responding, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made it clear that Government will not condone any act of lawlessness against its citizens. President Sirleaf said the concession awarded EPO was part of efforts to foster the development goals of government through job creation. She recalled that in 2006, her government was caught between a complete broken system and high expectations by citizens. “So it was incumbent upon this government to go after concessions to have the people working to buttress the government development programs” the president intimated. On land crisis across the country, President Sirleaf said government has taken a huge step in making the Land Commission functional and very soon there would be a comprehensive land reform law submitted to the Legislature for approval. “But while we are working on that document, we all need to sit around the table to resolve land disputes wherever they exist. This government will not infringe on the right of any citizen” she added. According to the President, the resurvey of the land occupied by EPO was authorized by government to present a clearer picture on the land situation in the area thus leading to a solution of the problem. “All we wanted to do was to first understand the land issue but unfortunately we heard that citizens were resisting the process. Violence is not a way to go about it; we support dialogue with communities to settle those kinds of problems” lamented the President. President Sirleaf noted “now that the survey has been conducted, the next step is to look at the result and sit around the table like we are now and discuss the way forward. If there are issues, those issues will be resolved before any expansion goes on. Even with land that you agree to give out, we will still sit with the company to negotiate your benefits.” President Sirleaf also reminded the citizens that the LAC concession area has excess land that will be returned to the people of District #4. Meanwhile, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has promised the people of District # 4 that all plans for further expansion of EPO will be halted immediately until an understanding can be reached through dialogue amongst the citizens, government and the company. It can be recalled on Friday February 14, this year, the citizens conveyed similar sentiments to Senate Pro-Temp GbehzohngarFindley, disapproving the expansion of the company.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 18:20:49 +0000