Round Table Discussion on Sustainable Palm Oil Ends in Sierra Leone
A Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) discussion has ended at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown on Thursday 14th, March, 2019 in presence of members of civil society, Government representative and stakeholders.
Delivering statement, RSPO Technical Manager for Africa, Elikplim Egbitor said palm oil is used to make multiple products adding that there are many social and economic issues surrounding palm oil production.
He discussed that, palm oil responsible for deforestation which he said has resulted to loss of useful forest reserves and linked the issue of water pollution to palm oil production and submitted that palm oil is being produced in areas which are very good for biodiversity conservation. ‘’Many issues needed to be addressed urgently with regards palm oil production’’, he told participants.
He said palm oil is not a bad product but the method of production is the problem and spoke on the important to mitigate the economic and social impacts of palm oil production.
The RSPO Technical Manager for Africa recalled that there was a campaign in Europe to ban palm oil and advised that, it would be good to adapt international best practices in the management of palm oil in Sierra Leone.
He encouraged all those who are doing the wrong thing to come onboard so that they can get correct information about the proper management of palm oil and discussed on the essence to comply with the RSPO which he described as beneficial for the general growth of the country.
In his short presentation, Mr. Edward Sesay from Conservation Society Sierra Leone described the engagement as an awareness raising meeting and continued that the discussion has to do with palm oil production in Sierra Leone. He discussed that everyone who cares about the development and the economic growth of the country should consider the engagement as important. He concluded that the meeting serves as an opportunity for them to know what to do and how to do it.
By Abdulai Mento Kamara
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2019, https:. All rights reserved.
