Deal #3005

Daniel Sesay (Namati) confirmed a size of only 408.62ha (Bureh), 338.8ha (Kashe) and 288.2ha (Macintosh) diverging information: according to an interview (OI) 43,000 ha + “maybe” seeking more land”; 46,000 ha according to one investor's website; Size under contract: "Who is benefitting?" Sierra Leone Report (2013). Grain report states 80 000 hectares. By 2018 possibly 3,843 hectares of palm trees planted (still being confirmed).

Palm oil plantation for comestible oil for local market/for agrofuels and soap

the company negotiated its lease directly with chiefs and landowners. After neglecting to pay rental fees to the community, a court order (dated 5th November 2018) ruled in favour of the communities that the investor must hand the land back to the communities and pay $250 000 in unpaid rental fees. Despite the court order, the community remained with their lands cleared and no lease fees. They started looking for a new partner. Since 2019, Sierra Organic Palm has showed interest in leasing part of the concession (previously under production) and have asked NAMATI to draft a land lease agreement.

The project planned to establish palm oil plantations on 40 000 hectares by 2017. The project has been taken over by Geoff Palm. After the contract has been cancelled, the community does not know what to do with the large areas of land planted with oil palm. It has engaged with Namati to arrange a new lease with a new lessee, Sierra Organic Palm.

US$2 per hectare per year; 5 per cent of net profit to be paid each year to community development fund. Information from contract.