By Bill W. Cooper
The new management of the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) has resumed official operations with a significant economic boost for the people of Weala, Margibi County, and the country’s rubber industry.
However, the resumption of SRC comes after its revitalization by Jeety Rubber LLC, a subsidiary of the Jeety Conglomerate, which acquired the plantations from its parent company, Socfin, a Belgian-French agricultural conglomerate.
Socfin cited years of financial losses and violent workers’ protests in mid-June over housing conditions, medical care for work-related injuries, and other demands as key reasons for its decision to divest its SRC operations.
The SRC is Liberia’s third-largest rubber-producing and processing company, and has been a major player in the Liberian economy, creating over 970 jobs for tappers, headman, cup cleaner and securities among others, working on the company’s 4,400-hectare rubber plantation.
The shutdown in June further led to the layoff of the entire workforce, many of whom are from local communities but with the company reopening now, it is expected to maintain the same workforce.
Also, with rubber being one of Liberia’s most valuable exports, the company’s return to production is also projected to contribute positively to the Liberian economy and the citizenry precisely for those residing in Weala and its surrounding.
Speaking to reporters at the SRC plantation, business tycoon Upjit Singh Sachdeva, owner of the Jeety Conglomerate, expressed optimism about the future of the company, stating that the “reopening represents a new chapter for SRC, the workers, and the entire country.”
“We are determined to run this company efficiently, ensuring that the operations here contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s economy and uplift the lives of the people,” Sachdeva, also popularly known as Jeety, said.
Jeety further reassured SRC’s stakeholders of the company’s long-term commitment to improving workers’ livelihoods, empowering project communities, and providing growth opportunities for small businesses in Weala and Margibi at large.
“This is just the beginning. With dedication and collaboration, SRC will regain its position as a leader in the rubber industry, and we will grow together with the communities around us,” he emphasized.
In addition to providing jobs, SRC’s revival will have ripple effects on local businesses, as small traders and service providers are poised to benefit from increased commercial activities around the plantation.
Industry observers have welcomed the news, noting that SRC’s resumption of operations will further increase the supply of Liberian rubber on the global market, boosting government’s tax revenue.
Meanwhile, since 1959 to now, Jeety becomes the first owner of SRC plantation to live in Liberia and visit the tappers to share the same pain they feel in toddling the weight which they have been lifting for over 69 years.
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, Jeety visited the tappers in each gang and spoke with them by sharing the same weight they have been totting daily. He gives instructions for the tappers’ children to immediately start school, coupled with reopening of the clinic to treat their spouses free without paying a cent as it has not been done in the past.
Mr. Jeety also give instructions for mothers who are cups’ cleaner and from the chemical department to freely send their children to school and the clinic which wasn’t also done in the past.
He has at the same time introduced a bonus system which is going to allow tappers to get more salary from their work as well as a bonus system which the Tappers are going to be walking away with three bags of rice if they rich their various targets.
In response, some of the tappers hailed Jeety for his generosity and asserted, “Mr. Jeety, we understand the love you have for our people; we know the difference you have come to make in the life of our people and we as citizens will stand with you in every aspect.”
According to the tappers, this was the first time to see the owner of the plantation to go to them into the bush and to share money with them, promising to do everything to protect the company through their services.
“Mr. Jeety thank you yeah……. May God bless you as we stand into the path of our Lord and savior through God Almighty. Indeed, you are a God sent and a savor and we cannot help but to thank God for you,” the Tappers added.
