" 10 years after land grab, local Nigerian farmers continue fight against palm oil producer" 22 September 2023

The government leased land from several local communities in 1962, but abandoned it in the 1970s. In 2012, against the backdrop of a drive to expand Nigeria’s palm oil production, the land was transferred to Wilmar in a move bitterly resisted by local residents. Critics say expanding oil palm plantations are accelerating deforestation and local residents complain that Wilmar has encroached on their farms and wastewater from the plantation has contaminated watercourses. In late 2012, the nonprofit Rainforest Resource & Development Centre (RRDC) approached the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil’s complaints panel on behalf of the affected communities to challenge Wilmar’s acquisition of the land.

In addition to questioning the state’s continued rights to the land — for decades, the government had failed to pay rent as set out in the 1962 lease — RRDC also accused Wilmar of redrawing the boundaries of the estate, encroaching on farmers’ land and community forests. The appeal was unsuccessful: The RSPO ruled the plantation was transferred in compliance with local law. Local residents have long complained about pollution from that the Ibiae plantation. They say wastewater laced with toxic chemicals generated by processing palm fruit flows into water courses that they rely on for drinking, bathing and irrigating their farms. The pollution is causing stands of oil palm and other plants to wither. When Mongabay visited the area in 2021, black foam collected on the surface of the water in many of the area’s rivers and streams. Dead and dying trees stood in water streaked with an oily slick.

Wilmar has steadfastly rejected all accusations of wrongdoing. “We are aware of the many unsubstantiated allegations related to land grabbing, pollution and poor labor conditions. We have investigated each of these accusations, and also fully cooperated with investigations by government authorities and agencies,” Ravin Trapshah, a senior manager for communications, emailed in response to questions from Mongabay earlier this year. Trapshah wrote, “To date, none of the allegations hurled against us have been found to be true or valid. We have also responded to them repeatedly, accompanied by relevant facts and evidence, together with our key stakeholders that include our host communities, workers union and relevant government agencies.”