The host communities of Ada Palm Plc have served a quit notice on Roche West Africa, the company licensed to run the Adapalm Plantation. The grouse of the communities was the failure of the company to meet the company social responsibilities, CSR and relegating and mismanaging the palm plantation. They also accused the company of breaching the local content Act.
The demonstration saw a large turnout at the company’s entrance and exit gates, with protesters holding placards bearing messages like “ROCHE MUST GO” and “ROCHE REDUCING THE IGR BASE OF THE STATE.”
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Comr. Collins Ohamar voiced the communities’ dissatisfaction with the poor state of the Adapalm plantations since Roche West Africa took over their management. He highlighted that despite the state government’s efforts to support the company by constructing administrative blocks and quarters, Roche has allowed these facilities to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance.
He also criticised Roche company for ejecting community workers, a move he said has led to increased criminality and poaching in the area. He lamented the neglect of over 20,000 newly planted seedlings, describing it as a waste of significant state resources.
Additionally, Collins condemned the company’s refusal to allow landowners access to the sludge and the right to buy fruits (FFB) in line with the Local Content Act, calling it an ongoing injustice to the landlords. The communities unanimously insisted that Roche West Africa must leave, arguing that the company, known primarily for construction, lacks the expertise required for palm production and processing.
In response to the protest, Hon. Chief Gideon Meffor, the community liaison officer to the company and the government, praised the peaceful nature of the demonstration. He assured the protesters that their grievances would be communicated to the company and relevant government bodies, urging them not to disrupt the company’s activities while promising that their complaints would receive prompt attention.
