Sime Darby apologizes

The Management of Sime Darby Plantation Liberia apologizes to the House of Representatives for not responding to lawmakers’ inquiry last Thursday when it  appeared before the full plenary.

SDPL says it was not intentionally, and management is willing to comply and collaborate fully with the House. The company admits to members of the House that it is aware of the video in question and had launched an investigation, while suspending its chief of security.

Sime Darby Manager David Parker, says the video was shown in February this year to his colleagues at the plantation at which time he was out of the country. According to him, when he returned to Liberia in March, he saw the video for the first time.

He says they are working with the Liberia National Police to identify those in the video to punish them. The Management of SDPL last week Thursday was charged with contempt by the House of Representatives for deliberately refusing to provide a clear explanation to the body on recent alleged manhandling of a Liberian on
the premises of the entity.

The victim, said to be a suspected thieft, was screened surrounded by residents and company security with his hands tied and a plam bunch that he allegedly stole from the compnay’s premises placed on his head, while he was been tortured.

Representative Edwin M. Snow of Bomi County describes the incident at the plantation a major human rights violation that needs to be looked, adding that
mere apology could not save the management.

Rep. Snowe notes that there is lack of safe drinking water at the plantation, and a need to review the concession agreement. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has set up a committee to investigate what ready happened on the plantation, and to determine if it is adhering to the 50 percent senior staff Liberians requirement as well as other issues, and report in one week.

By Bridgett Milton-Editing by Jonathan Browne