By Staff writer
PAYNESVILLE, Liberia – The National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union of Liberia (NARBFUL) has accused the Ministry of Agriculture of excluding legitimate smallholder rubber farmers from consultations on the implementation of Executive Order No. 166, warning that the alleged move could fuel unrest within the sector.
Speaking at a press conference in Paynesville on Thursday, NARBFUL President James Sayekea said the union had received what he described as credible information that the Ministry was holding meetings with people who are not recognized smallholder rubber farmers, while those directly affected by the policy were being left out.
Sayekea said the union has not received any official invitation or communication about the reported consultations, despite representing thousands of rubber farmers across Liberia. He argued that any process affecting the rights and livelihoods of smallholders must include their legally recognized representatives.
He also alleged that people with no direct connection to the rubber sector were being mobilized to participate in Liberia’s Independence Day celebrations in Grand Bassa County to publicly endorse the implementation of Executive Order No. 166.
According to Sayekea, those individuals do not represent the interests of genuine smallholder rubber farmers and property owners, raising concerns about the credibility of the consultation process.
He warned that if the allegations are confirmed, the exclusion of legitimate stakeholders could erode trust in the government’s implementation of the executive order and create unnecessary tension among farmers.
“The continued exclusion of those directly affected by this policy is a recipe for conflict,” Sayekea said. “Decisions about the rubber sector should be made with the participation of the people whose livelihoods depend on it.”
He called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to investigate the allegations and ensure that consultations on Executive Order No. 166 are conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner.
Sayekea also appealed to the Special Arts Committee, chaired by Hon. Afri Flo-Mo, as well as human rights organizations and other national stakeholders, to monitor the situation and help safeguard the rights of legitimate rubber farmers.
“We will not allow our property rights to be undermined through manipulation,” he said. “The government must suspend any process that excludes genuine stakeholders from decisions affecting the rubber sector.”
The Ministry of Agriculture has not publicly responded to the allegations.
