IPNEWS: The Minister of Internal Affairs, Francis Sakila Nyumalin, has petitioned the Mano Plantation Oil Palm Company (MPOPC) operating in Grand Cape Mount County to address issues of affected communities in its concession area.

He made the call when he visited the Mano Plantation Oil Palm Company to intervene in complaints of unfair treatment to Liberian workers by the Company & the affected community.

Minister Nyumalin discussed the importance of providing safe drinking water for the affected communities and commended the company for constructing three hand pumps and gave 90 days ultimatum for the company to construct safe drinking water sources for the communities. The minister also pledged to return in the next few months to dedicate the first fifty hand pumps.

In addition to addressing the water issue, Minister Nyumalin also focused on the housing situation for employees of MPOPC.

He reminded the company of their obligation to provide housing for their workers as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and gave them 30 days to present a comprehensive housing plan.

The Minister also stressed the importance of caring for employees and their dependents, urging the company to provide free medical treatment for employees’ children and to improve the clinic facilities, including the provision of an ambulance.

According to a release from the department of Press and Public Affairs(MIA), Minister Nyumalin acknowledged the efforts made by the company in providing transportation services for students and a computer lab.

He however, encouraged the company to go above and beyond by adding six additional classrooms to the school. At the same time challenging the Mano Plantation Oil Palm Company to come up with development plans that would empower Liberians to pursue further education opportunities outside the country.

Meanwhile, Minister Nyumalin has announced the formation of a committee comprising representatives from various departments, including MIA, NBC, Labor, Mano company, mano Workers Association, and the General Worker Union of Liberia (GWUL).

The committee will be chaired by the Deputy Minister of Labor Manpower & Development and will work towards resolving issues related to workers’ salaries.