Congo Town – Community-based Monitoring (CBM), in collaboration with the Liberia National Legislature, has completed a day-long compliance dialogue that was aimed at oil companies’ adherence to concessions agreements, and carrying out its corporate social responsibility in strengthening local communities.
Report by Jahiem T. Tumu, FPA Staff Writer
The dialogue which includes panel discussion highlighted how concessionaires can implement existing international and local laws to effectively impact rural communities which are in concession areas.
It also focused on the revision of reports from concession companies, lessons learned, and how an amicable solution can be found in addressing these challenges communities face.
Accordingly, it indicated that effort should be made to implement community programs that better healthcare, educational and national policies where priorities are developed to incentivize the communities workforce to increase community-based participation and to ensure an enabling environment that will ensure trust amongst concession companies.
Presenting the opening remarks, the Program Director for Social Entrepreneur for Sustainable Development, Madam Mina Beyan said her institution primary objective is to ensure support for communities rights in forestry, agriculture and mining.
Madam Beyan urged companies and investors to commit to crafted positive policies and net zero climate solutions through legislation made both internationally and nationally to create human rights for citizens.
Said Madam Beyan, “We all know the oil palm supply chains globally have realized the need for sustainability in the sector and several efforts have been made to ensure the respect for human rights and a deforestation-free commodity supply chain.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senator Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Jim Tornolah said their responsibility is to ensure concessionaires, communities and those who have wholesome responsibilities do due diligence by doing what they have been dedicated.
Senator Tornolah said despite the interest of the Legislature to represent its people, is not intended to undermine cooperation that leads to the right decision taken from all parties.
Said Senator Tornolah, “The Legislature has an oversight responsibility to monitor and understand and take decisions that are necessary as per the decisions of how concession agreements were passed.
Adding, “We are too folded, we are looking at the right of the communities and concessionaires where are those things they taking to meet up they their obligations, their commitment.”
“The right that since these concessions were passed, where are those things they are doing to impact the livelihoods of the community at the same time what impact they having on themselves in order to raise standards that which they have set and that which they have decided to be concessionaires for,” he said.
The ball is in Imran Khan's Court
comments
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ