HARPER — An early morning accident involving a 14-wheeler palm oil tanker belonging to the Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) left no casualties—but brought unexpected windfall to nearby residents, who rushed to collect the spilled contents.
According to Moses Teoh, chief of traffic for the Liberia National Police Maryland County detachment, the accident occurred around 3 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2025, along the Harper-Pleebo Highway in the Weah Village community, just a few kilometers outside the port city of Harper.
The tanker, carrying an estimated 500,000 gallons of crude palm oil, was en route from Pleebo to the Harper Seaport for export when it reportedly lost control on a double curve and tipped over, spilling large quantities of oil into nearby drainage channels.
“We are grateful that the driver survived,” said Oretha Toe, an eyewitness. “But this incident raises serious alarms about road safety and transporting hazardous materials through our communities.”
By daybreak, residents from Weah Village, Barriken, Pleebo, Harper, and surrounding areas were seen scooping palm oil from the roadside with buckets, containers, and cooking pots—despite warnings from local authorities.
Police and other security personnel confirmed there were no injuries or fatalities. However, the incident has stirred growing concerns over public health, environmental safety, and ethical behavior in the wake of industrial accidents.
Toe warned that some of the salvaged oil may find its way into markets.
“The government and health authorities should take this seriously,” she said. “Some unscrupulous individuals might try to sell this oil for consumption instead of using it for soap-making. That could pose a major health risk—especially with recent monkeypox outbreaks in other parts of the country.”
Public health experts say consuming contaminated palm oil could lead to gastrointestinal illness or even toxic exposure, depending on the condition of the oil after contact with the road, debris, or unsanitary containers.
Police traffic chief Teoh said an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. Initial observations suggest the crash may have been caused by speeding and driver fatigue.
“This should serve as a wake-up call for all road users,” Teoh said. “We urge all drivers, especially those transporting goods, to proceed with caution and adhere to safety measures—particularly on curved roads and highways like this one.”
Local residents and community leaders have also called on the Ministry of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency to assess the situation and offer guidance on proper cleanup and disposal.
While the accident was a financial loss to the company, some residents referred to it as a “blessing” due to the unexpected windfall. Others, however, condemned the opportunistic behavior and called for greater awareness around public safety and ethics in such circumstances.
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