Rubber plantation farmers in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem Municipal (KEEA) in the Central Region can now heave a big sigh of relief following the construction and commissioning of a new weighbridge to take care of the scaling of their product.
Hitherto, the rubber farmers, located in the Abrem Agona Plantation and numbering about 800, had to travel to Agona-Nkwanta in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region to have their rubber weighed.
With the construction and commissioning of the new standard weighbridge by Ghana Rubber Estate Company Limited (GREL), a rubber plantation company, the risk of travelling several kilometres and spending money on transportation to cart their rubber for weighing is now a thing of the past.
What is assuring is that, in the likely event the number of the rubber farmers in the Abirem Plantation increase to about 1,000 and over, they would be entitled to a treatment plant in the plantation.
At the formal commissioning, the Managing Director of GREL, Lionel Barry, pointed out that until the construction of the weighbridge, “Our cherished rubber farmers in Central Region were trekking several kilometres to deliver their produce to our processing factories. This came with its own burdens, with high transportation costs being the foremost for the rubber farmers in this region.”
“As a company that prioritises and values our farmers, management engaged in consultations and discussions on ways to bring the services of GREL further to the doorsteps of their farmers.
“Management, therefore, decided to construct a new weighbridge to cater for Abrem Agona plantation.”
Lionel Barry added that the commissioning brought to seven the number of rubber weighbridges operated by GREL in the Western and Central regions.
Apart from the Abrem Plantation weighbridge, GREL has another weighbridge at Assin Edubiase, also in the Central Region.
Additionally, five other weighbridges are also in operation at Apimanim, Tsibu, Awudua, Subri, and Allabokazo all in the Western Region.
The weighbridges, according MD Lionel Barry at the above-mentioned locations, including that of Abrem, were all calibrated, certified, and constantly regulated by the Ghana Standards Authority.
As a result, Abrem Agona Plantation farmers and elsewhere were assured of the same quality of scale and services, in line with ISO Certification and Standards.
Lionel Barry, however, made it evidently clear that the Abrem Plantation weighbridge would significantly improve the economic fortunes of this community and the Municipality in diverse ways.
Food vendors would increase sales, because farmers would patronise their wares on their way to and from weighing their rubber. Persons in the transportation business would benefit.
“Over the few years that GREL started operations in some communities in this Municipality, we have always acted responsibly, and at every step of the way. This is in line with our values and international standards.
“We pledge to continue this path. To our cherished farmers, rest assured of our commitment to listening to you and providing the best services we can. As the pioneers in the rubber industry, we will stand with you to ensure that you maximise the gains that this industry brings to you, your families, your communities, and the entire national economy.”
Mr. Simon Tetteh, Head of Rubber Outgrower, said the purpose for constructing the weighbridge was to be in proximity with the farmers. Describing the location as safe ground, he expressed the hope that the farmers would capitalise on the weighbridge and increase their output.
Present at the commissioning were Nana Essuakor Terpor V, Chief of Abrem, Nana Gyan Dadzie, Chief of Eguafo, Obaahema Ampema Doku, Nana Aba Akyere, Chief Supt. Abraham Bansah, and the Municipal Police Commander amongst many others.
Addressing the farmers, Nana Essuakor Terpor applauded GREL for considering the plight of the rubber farmers by constructing a weighbridge to ease the trouble of travelling several kilometres to sell their produce to GREL.
The Chief advised the farmers to reciprocate the gesture by selling their produce to only GREL and avoid outside buyers.
