ERA/FOEN flays uncontrolled RSPO certification of oil palm plantation owners

ENVIRONMENTAL Rights Action/friends of the Earth (FOEN) group has cautioned against the indiscriminate issuance of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification.

The group urged the Federal Government to check the certification to large-scale oil palm plantations owners in Edo State and across the country.

Its Executive Director, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, spoke yesterday at a workshop/media conference on certification.

He described the current situation by multi national firms, as a false land grabbing and inhumane activities against communities.

He added that the fragrant issuance was also dangerous to deforestation.

Uyi Ojo urged the Edo State government to revoke all previous certifications in the interest of the affected communities and their livelihoods. He cited the three local government councils mostly affected by these activities to include Ovia North East, Ovia South West and Uhunwonde areas. He also urged government to stop all forms of oil palm plantation expansions that are detrimental to community farmlands, biodiversity hotspots and historical sites.

The executive director tasked the multinational firms operating in the state on respect for communities’ informed consent in the development of acquired land.

He further called on multinational firms to follow due process of the mandatory EIA, with the full involvement and participation of local people and the public.

RSPO was established in 2004 to promote the growth and use of sustainable oil palm products through credible global standards and engagement of stakeholders.