By Jamesetta D Williams
National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union of Liberia (NRBFUL), has registered its opposition to President Joseph Boakai’s recently issued Executive Order No. 166, arguing that it threatens the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder rubber farmers across the country.
NRBFUL’s President and Vice President James W. Sayekea, Stanley F. J. Sayewolo, have instead called on the Government of Liberia to review the Executive Order.
The two officials made the remarks on OK FM’s “Morning Rush” program on Monday, where they discussed the state of Liberia’s rubber sector, the history of the industry, and what they described as longstanding discrimination against Liberian-owned rubber farms.
Speaking during the interview, President Sayekea said rubber has been one of Liberia’s major economic drivers for more than a century but alleged that policies governing the sector have historically favored large concession companies while marginalizing smallholder farmers.
According to him, the National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union of Liberia was established in 1999 to advocate for the rights and welfare of smallholder rubber farmers and to ensure they receive fair prices and equal opportunities within the industry.
Sayekea also criticized the relationship between the Rubber Development Fund Incorporated (RDFI) and the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL), alleging that the interests of independent rubber farmers have not been adequately represented in decision-making processes affecting the sector.
Also, Vice President Stanley F. J. Sayewolo expressed concern over Executive Order No. 166, which he claimed was issued without sufficient consultation with key stakeholders in the rubber industry.
Sayewolo argued that the Executive Order conflicts with Executive Order No. 151, which he said remains in effect, adding that introducing another executive order without broad stakeholder consensus has created uncertainty within the sector.
The union also accused the Ministry of Agriculture of failing to recognize the organization despite its legal standing. Sayewolo alleged that the Ministry has aligned itself with other industry groups instead of serving as a neutral mediator to address concerns within the rubber sector.
The NRBFUL leadership called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to review Executive Order No. 166 and initiate an inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders to address challenges facing the rubber industry.
The Ministry of Agriculture has not publicly responded to the allegations and concerns raised by the union during the OK FM Morning Rush interview.
Liberia’s rubber industry remains one of the country’s leading agricultural sectors and a major source of employment and income for thousands of smallholder farmers nationwide.
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