Nasako Besingi of Cameroonian NGO Sefe, addresses residents of Iwei Village during a meeting held in conjunction with Greenpeace to provide information on the implications of US company Herakles Farms’ plans to develop a large oil palm plantation in a largely forested area.
Greenpeace has undertaken an information-sharing tour in communities affected by the project. The meetings have shown that a majority of village residents knew little of the devastating impact the project could have on their land, livelihood and local environment. The prior consent from residents affected is a standard precondition for any company undertaking a large-scale land deal in Africa. Herakles Farms has failed to conduct a sufficient process in this regard.