The_Open_Door_deel1

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owners of the concession.
The WAAC accepted the obligation to plant a minimum of 1,000 acres
within five years of the effective date of the agreement, to
avoid wastea contamination or pollution of the environment, and
erosion of the soil, to sell its produce at fair prices in
accordance with good and recognized business practices, to engage
only in fair and reasonable transactions with affiliated companies
(60), to protect the general health and safety of labourers and
employees, and to train and employ Liberian personnel for various
positions in its enterprise. Within five years from the effective
date of the agreement it was to establish and carry on a program
for the encouragement of Liberian private farmers, including the
giving of technical advice and instructions.
The inadequate number of competent and efficient staff officials
within the various ministries (the ministries of Finance,
Agriculture, Planning, or Labour), the deficiencies in the
Governmental administrative structure and practices, and physical
problems (experienced for instance, when visiting the site of the
operations prior to the construction of a road to Robertsport)
all contributed to the lack of effective control by the Government
despite some seemingly promising obligations Included in the
concession agreement. The result was a situation characterized by
a complete ignorance of the company's activities; whether e.g. the
WAAC has or had ever started or completed a program for the
encouragement of oil palm cultivation by Liberian private farmers
is a question which not a single person within the relevant
ministries could answer. However, nobody even bothered to ask.
In 1967 the company started the development of 3,500 acres. As oil
palms take some 4 to 5 years to mature, it was not until 1972 that
production started with 700 acres of mature trees. The management
however, considered 1975 as the first full year of production.
At the end of 1977 it was not yet clear whether the company would
become a successful enterprise though its future seemed promising.
Financially, the company showed losses in the first part of the
1970's, and 1977 was probably the first year showing a profit. As
the company's exemption from income taxes will not expire until
1983, its contribution to the Liberian Treasury In the past, as
well as until the expiration of its income tax holiday, consisted,
and will consist, of a mere $ 400 a year, being the land rental
for 5,000 acres.