A laboratory technician who works for Pamol Plantations, the agro-industrial giant that specializes in palm oil is reported to have been killed by suspected separatist fighters in Kitta junction, a locality in Ekondo Titi, Ndian Division of the restive South West region of Cameroon.
The population of Ekondo Titi in Cameroon’s South West region are yet to forget the killing of one of theirs, a certain Paul Akale, Laboratory technician with Pamol, the agro-industrial company that grows palm oil and rubber as its main products, Wednesday September 15.
According to reports, gunmen believed to be separatist fighters murdered the victim in cold blood.
Paul Akale is just one out of the many workers of Pamol plantations who have died in such circumstances with their lone crime being working for the agro-industrial company.
A similar incident happened this year in January. A certain Erik Biaka, the Plantation Manager of Pamol Lipenja Barombi was reportedly kidnapped but suspected Ambazonia fighters during working hours at the plantation and killed the following day along Masore road leading to Mundemba.
The same separatists reportedly chopped off fingers of Pamol farmers in another attack.
Such attacks recorded in the area which threatens the lives of other workers as the Anglophone crisis escalates are said to have greatly paralysed the company’s activities to the extent that Pamol who used to enjoy a labour force of over 2000 before the crisis is presently at about 584 with salary arrears owed workers and unpaid social insurance contributions.
According to CRTV’s Albert Njie Mbonde examining the impact of insecurity on Pamol on the 3pm news, the company now operates at 42% of its real potential. He adds that what is produced suffers from evacuation by sea due to insecurity by road, an option that costs a lot to the company.
The journalist revealed that the Government has been providing financial assistance that unfortunately cannot carry the entire burden of Pamol.
That notwithstanding, the General Manager, Solomon Tapea Mbile who took office almost a year ago is positive that things will change for the better.
“Each time a worker dies in active service, I gather the others and remind them of our realities. I tell them that the worker paid the ultimate price. He died trying to serve the company, serve the community and the nation as a whole. If we turn our backs and run away, the others who have died would have shed their blood in vain…”
As far as Pamol is concerned, production in Lobe is very crucial. Compared to this time last year, we are up to about 42% though we are still under 50% exploitation on the capacity of the estate. We are carrying on a couple of operations in Ndian so much so that come next season we should be able to be at about 60-70%. We are now into fields that have not been harvested since 2018, so I think there is hope.”
Ariane Foguem
