The Firestone Rubber Plantation Company in Harbel, Margibi County is making claims of gains it is making in its activities since the sitting of the Ellen-led government, such as housing and education, but a local environmental group thinks otherwise.

Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU) says the company is abusing its workers and also polluting the Farmington River.

Allegation of abuse and pollution of the Farmington River is not extraordinary as far as the operation of the company is concerned, as most organizations such as Green Advocates have been saying, but the management from time to time rubbished those allegations.

However, SAMFU said it has conducted investigation and documented plethora of abuses being carried on by the company. Among other things, the group in a document released last Thursday claimed Firestone is not doing enough to stop the pollution of the Farmington River in Owens Grooves, Grand Bassa County as well as bad labor practices.

The group also noted in its documentary that the government has failed to take legal and any punitive action against the Firestone Rubber Plantation, adding “it appears that the company is above the law”.

Releasing the report on behalf of SAMFU at a launch ceremony, Project Officer Robert Nyahn said the environmental conditions at the Firestone have not changed and that wastes are still affecting the citizens of the area, something he urged the Firestone Management to handle as speedily as possible.

That besides, the SAMFU official said Firestone is underpaying its employees.  “In 2004, Firestone reaped over US$7.2 billion as profits but was awarded by an American organization as the “worst and most underpaid company of the year,” he recalled.

Mr. Nyahn noted that while it is true that the company has improved its housing sector and has increased the construction of schools in the various divisions, he noted that many of the locals who have worked in the Plantation for the rest of their life are still living in terrible conditions.

He pointed out that the pollution of the Farmington River does not only affect the inhabitants of the area, but the species of the river as well. He said “Firestone is not environment friendly. What they are doing now will affect the river over the next ten years, if nothing is done to stop the bad environment habits.

Also speaking at the program, a resident of the Owens Grooves Community, Robert Benson said they are considering firing a lawsuit against Firestone Management for what he called “the manner in which they are treating them”.

He said they're consulting with political leaders, which include representatives, superintendent and other relevant government officials before taking the action. 

When the Public Relation Manager of the Firestone Plantation, Mr. Rufus Karmoh, was contacted, he declined to comment on grounds that they have not received any copy of the report.

Akerele Brags Foreign Policy Achievements

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Olubanke King Akerele, says President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s foreign policy initiatives have sought to improve the nation’s image as a responsible member of the comity of nations.

	• Olubanke King Akerele

Speaking over the weekend at an Interactive Session between the five former African Presidents and Representatives of Government, Political Parties and the Liberian Media, Minister Akerele said the foreign policy initiated by the Sirleaf Administration is guided by its adherence in the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, particularly Liberia’s neighbors.

Minister Akerele said Liberia ’s active involvement in ECOWAS, African Union, Sad- Sen and the Mano River Union, the honoring of legitimate international obligations, commitment to democratic institutions, respect for the rule of law and the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) are all recent achievements.

The PRS is aimed at improving the quality of life of the Liberian people and meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Minister Akerele told the Interactive Session held at a local hotel in the diplomatic enclave of Mamba Point that President Johnson-Sirleaf’s Government is committed to its Development Agenda which is focused on poverty reduction and improving the lives of the Liberian people.

Minister Akerele said the civil crisis impacted the lives of all Liberians, both at home and abroad, adding the war had serious implications on Liberia’s international relations.

According to Minister Akerele, during the crisis period most of the embassies of Liberia’s development partners were closed, while many of Liberia’s partners decided not to engage the country and withheld support because of the atrocities.

She also told the Interactive Session that there were criminalization of the state which included the illegal use of the Liberian passport, sale of Government properties abroad and appointment of some unquestionable individuals as honorary consuls.

According to Foreign Minister Release, Minister Akerele further revealed that Liberia was perceived as a failed State and its role in international affairs was diminished, while at the same time Liberia was considered as an epic centre of conflict in West Africa.

However, Minister Akerele said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s foreign policy initiatives have significantly improved the nation’s image and that Liberia is no longer considered as an epic centre for conflict and has regained its place among the comity of nations occasioned by debt relief and support from Liberia’s development partners.