Police probe accident at Sime Darby

The Liberia National Police has begun investigation into a vehicle accident which led to the death of an employee of Sime Darby Plantation Liberia.

The accident led to workers boycotting work at the plantation. The local union head, one Prosper and his officials were invited last week by the police to form part of the investigation. The police said it decided to invite the union and others as a way of ensuring transparency in the ongoing investigation.

“We visited the scene after our team in Bomi had earlier conducted a preliminary investigation into the accident scene. Later, we visited the plantation to further investigate the cause of the accident,” a senior official on the investigation, who spoke on anonymity, confided in this paper.

The officer explains that upon arrival to Monrovia, a union member and other interested parties from the plantation were taken to the funeral home where the body of Mr. Kollie, who died in the accident, is currently deposited.

At the investigation hearing at the police station were union members and family member of the deceased, an Assistant Justice Minister, representative from Representative Edwin Snowe, Jr. of Bomi County as well as senior staff members.

The Union head said, “We are interested in a full scale investigation into the case. Besides that, we want some assurance from the government and management of the security of every worker.”

The officer said the investigative team later assured the union leaders that it would do everything to give a full report. They later assured management of government’s protection for their investment. Meanwhile, the police are expected to travel to the plantation later today to hold meeting with key stakeholders.

-Editing by Jonathan Browne