The general manager of the Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC) Naveen Madan recently cataloged major developmental activities.

In a press conference on July 29, he averred that since the Socfin Group took over the management of LAC in 1998, the company has invested in the plantation and in the communities that depend on it, spanning school construction, housing renovation, healthcare, water access, and rural infrastructure.

For the families who have lived and worked on the plantation across generations, that commitment shows up first in the classroom.

The general manager emphasized that LAC operates 11 schools in multiple locations across its plantation in Grand Bassa County, employing 97 teaching and administrative staff, all funded by the Company except for a nominal maintenance fee that covers less than five percent of actual costs.

Mr. Madan stressed that LAC school system consistently ranks among the three best performing in Grand Bassa County on the West African school examinations.

As of September 2025, 7,592 students were enrolled, including 348 students from neighboring communities admitted free of fees. That access is reflected in the Zior river communities alone, where 134 students enrolled in the LAC school system in 2024.

Each year, LAC awards four-year college scholarships to 15 graduating students. Fifty-seven students are currently on scholarship at a combined cost of US$68,400 per year.

The LAC boss said ‘in the recent years, LAC has opened a new primary school for 470 students at Nain Camp and two additional schools in Estate 3 and Estate 4, built a new library at St. Joseph High School, added six buses and scores of permanent bus stops for students, extended St. Francis School, renovated four satellite schools, and upgraded Blessed Alamano School to junior high school level’.

He added that ‘’LAC provides free housing to employees and their families across 83 camps in four estates, totaling around 3,800 housing units and more than 2,500 latrines.

He noted that ‘’since 1998, the Company has invested US$60 million in housing, equipment, and vehicles.

“Under its ongoing renovation program, close to 1,800 housing units were renovated between 2020 and 2025, with 600 more planned for 2026 and additional units planned between 2026 and 2033, on a cycle that renovates each camp roughly every 10 years. Our camps have been provided with 350 Solar or wired lights and more are continuing.’’

When it comes to health, water, and community Mr. Madan said that ‘’LAC’s 88-bed hospital and three health posts serve more than 40,000 patients a year, extending free care to children under five and pregnant women from surrounding communities, not only LAC employees.

“Over 140 boreholes provide safe drinking water on the plantation, and the Company has constructed 38 hand pumps across 34 nearby communities. Forty-four solar lights have also been provided in neighboring communities’’.

He highlighted that ‘’LAC remains committed to sustained, transparent investment in the people and communities of Grand Bassa County, and welcomes continued dialogue with local leadership, the Ministry of Education, and community representatives.”

He said LAC spent over US$270,000 to rehabilitate the LAC to Buchanan Road and currently, LAC is building a new road from Pee Town to Kpah Town in electoral District #5, Grand Bassa County. Draper C. Tolborh Sr. reports.