By Bill W. Cooper
Indian businessman Upjit Singh Sachdeva alias Jeety, newly purchased Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), was early Tuesday, January 28, 2025; morning engulfed in flames following a suspected arson attack around Bondolone Town in Margibi County.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 2:00 AM in Weala, Margibi County, has sent panic across the country, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of foreign investments in Liberia.
According to information gathered, the fire caused significant damage to the plantation, with an estimated loss of over US$35,000, resulting in more than 150 rubber trees being destroyed in the blaze.
Eyewitnesses also stated that Firefighters from the Jeety Rubber LLC and SRC, coupled with community dwellers immediately arrived on the scene within time and curtailed the fire, even though the blaze had already caused extensive damage.
Our eyewitnesses added that by the time the flames were brought under control, significant portions of the facility had been destroyed, along with thousands of rubber trees on the plantation.
However, two individuals, identified as Joe Bono and Abraham Kpannah, have been apprehended by the plantation’s fire service team and are currently in police custody.
During preliminary questioning, the two suspects confessed to the arson attack but have yet to provide a clear motive for their actions or the mastermind behind the attack.
In response to the attack, the plantation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jeety, who is the owner of the Jeety Rubber LLC factory, described the act as a huge loss and sabotage to his business, threatening to shutdown the plantation if the act of arson doesn’t stop.
He lamented, “It is really sad because I am doing everything humanly possible to improve the lives of tappers, their kids and families, but I think there are disgruntled people behind this.”
Jeety further emphasized that continued disruptions could force the company to close the plantation in leaving many local residents jobless.
It can be recalled that in September of 2024, Jeety Rubbe LLC took 100% ownership of the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), from its previous management, saving over 900 Liberians jobs.
Located in Weala, Margibi County, Jeety LLC is a subsidiary of Jeety Conglomerate, as a statement issued in Luxembourg on August 27, 2024, disclosed that the purchase of SRC by Jeety Rubber was concluded on August 26, 2024.
Salala Rubber LLC is the third-largest rubber producing company in Liberia, as it produces semi-processed rubber used in the manufacture of tires.
In July of 2024, the former management of SRC Socfin announced the indefinite closure following a violent protest, leaving over 900 Liberians out of jobs following the incident.
However, with the intervention made by Jeety Rubber LLC, the well-being of the employees and their respective family members was guaranteed, and economic activities that were reported to be at a standstill immediately became booming following the purchase of SRC.