By Bill W. Cooper
Renowned Kenyan Lawyer, Plo Lumumba, says Liberians will continue to languish in poverty and remain underdeveloped if the Firestone Rubber Company does not economically benefit the country in years to come.
The tough-talking Kenyan activist asserted, “Firestone Rubber Plantation has been in Liberia for years and cannot show anything tangible, but let me say this, Liberians will remain waiting until the second coming of Jesus Christ if their presence does not benefit the country shortly.”
Speaking on OK FM recently in Monrovia, Lumumba further narrated that he is looking forward to a day when rubber will no longer be exported from Liberia and Firestone will ensure that the citizens benefit from its presence in the country.
He asserted, “And if this is not done by the Liberian Government, especially this Joseph Boakai administration, even 10 years from now, there is absolutely no prospect for the lives of the citizens and the economic improvement of this great nation.”
Firestone Liberia has been a ‘trusted partner’ of Liberia and its citizenry since 1926 and has bragged about making unparalleled contributions to the economic and social development of the country through employment, education, and healthcare opportunities for thousands of the citizens.
To date, Firestone Liberia LLC is a legally registered company in Liberia, a direct subsidiary of Firestone Natural Rubber Company, and an indirect subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas – part of the Bridgestone Group.
As the country’s largest private investment, the company, since the end of the Liberian Civil War in 2003, said it has invested more than US$2 billion in the Liberian economy, which includes US$131 million to the Government for taxes and fees.
Others are US$573 million worth of rubber purchased from Liberian rubber farmers, US$302 million payroll and pensions (net after tax), and US$324 million local goods and services, thus making a vital contribution to the health and wellbeing of Liberians.
But Prof. Lumumba further urged Joseph Boakai’s government to ensure the presence of energy that will allow industrialization for the massive economic empowerment of the citizens and create a boost for the country’s domestic revenue generation.
He also recommended to the Unity Party (UP) administration not to export the nation’s primary goods at the detriment of the people, emphasizing that the consideration of these innovative ideas will improve the economic condition of the citizens in the next ten years.
The Pan Africanist, at the same time, challenged the government to see and copy the examples of her next-door neighbors, how they are managing their natural resources to improve the lives of their citizens, and do the same for Liberians.
He reiterated, “With this, I look forward to a day when Liberian rubber will no longer be exported from Liberia, and Firestone will ensure that the citizens benefit from its presence in the country.”
“Because if this is not done by the Liberian Government, even 10 years from now, there is absolutely no prospect for the lives of the citizens and the economic improvement of Africa’s oldest independent nation.
Again, I advise that this administration ensures the presence of energy that would allow industrialization for the massive economic empowerment of the citizens and create a boost for the country’s domestic revenue generation,” he added.
