-Defends Its Mandate
By Staff Writer
The National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union of Liberia (NARBFUL) has strongly rejected allegations from the Office of the Minister of Agriculture that its agents are operating without authorization.
The institution said that the Ministry also accused them of illegal rubber checkpoints across Liberia and demanding unauthorized fees from farmers, vehicle owners, and rubber traders.
In a statement issued Sunday, NARBFUL’s President, James W. Sayekea described the allegations as inaccurate and insisted that the Union and its agents are operating within the framework of laws and regulations governing Liberia’s rubber sector.
Sayekea said it is a legally recognized agricultural labor trade union established in 2001 to protect and advocate for smallholder rubber farmers, rubber brokers, and other actors in the sector.
The Union’s President added that its mandate includes supervising, monitoring, and overseeing activities within the rubber sector, arguing that its operations are supported by provisions of Liberia’s Labor Practices Law, the Decent Work Act of 2015, and relevant International Labour Organization conventions.
Sayekea and his entire leadership uprightly defended the presence of its agents at various checkpoints, saying their role is intended to help address theft, abuse, misuse, and other illicit activities within the rubber industry.
He furthered that agents have also intensified efforts to trace the origin, ownership, and destinations of unprocessed rubber as part of measures to protect the sector from illegal activities.
The NARBFUL boss argued that stronger monitoring is necessary to safeguard the livelihoods of smallholder rubber farmers and prevent activities that could negatively affect Liberia’s economy and public safety.
At the same time, Sayekea expressed regret over what the Union described as the Agriculture Ministry’s failure to adequately consider the laws and regulations it says define NARBFUL’s responsibilities and authority.
NARBFUL accused the Ministry of Agriculture of interfering in the Union’s affairs and questioned alleged financial irregularities, including a US$33.5 million STAR-P fund gap and a US$150,000 vehicle.
