Margibi County — Indian Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Manoj Bihari Verma, has reaffirmed India’s commitment to Liberia’s development by announcing bilateral scholarship opportunities for youth in Margibi District #5 to study at prestigious universities in India.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey
The announcement came during Ambassador Verma’s visit to the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) and Jeety Rubber Factory, both owned by Indian entrepreneur Upjit Singh Sachdeva, over the weekend.
The focus of the ambassador’s visit was to assess the socio-economic impact of SRC and Jeety Rubber Factory on local communities.
Both companies have received praise from diplomats, government officials, and community members for their roles in job creation and investment in vital community projects.
Since acquiring SRC in November, the new management has made significant efforts in renovating schools and hospitals, as well as building new homes for factory workers.
Ambassador Verma was accompanied by traditional chiefs, district and township commissioners, paramount chiefs, and youth leaders from Margibi District #5.
The local leaders expressed their gratitude for the scholarship initiative, noting that it would help address the district’s workforce capacity gap and contribute to its economic development.
“Honorable Ambassador, we are thankful for the scholarship opportunities being provided to our children and request that you bring in more investment opportunities to us because our district is ready for investments,” said Samuel M.Y. Ketter, Cinta Township Commissioner. He added, “This request comes from our hearts. More investments will make a big difference in District 5.”
In response, Ambassador Verma reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s educational initiatives and investment opportunities.
“We want to share our expertise and knowledge with our friendly countries, and Liberia is our partner in that context,” he said, assuring the community that the scholarships would be merit-based.
Ambassador Verma emphasized the longstanding partnership between India and Liberia, noting that the scholarships would not only benefit Liberian youth but also strengthen India’s diplomatic and economic ties with West Africa.
He commended the socio-economic progress observed at both SRC and Jeety Rubber Factory, highlighting their contributions to local infrastructure, employment, and community well-being.
“India and Liberia share a long-standing relationship, and we are dedicated to supporting initiatives that empower local communities,” he remarked.
In addition, the Indian ambassador acknowledged the efforts of the former Consul General in supporting the Liberian people and pledged to continue collaborating on the scholarship initiative.
Ambassador Verma expressed optimism about the expansion of Jeety Rubber Factory, which is set to include tire and glove production. He noted that such developments would offer better incentives and social services to local residents.
For his part, Mr. Sachdeva reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the education of youth in the district, sharing that, “At the SRC school, we have informed all 12th graders that if they achieve an A+ in WASSCE, we will provide them with undergraduate scholarships in India. If they earn an A, we will sponsor their studies at any university in Liberia.”
He stressed the critical role of education in community development and pledged to further strengthen corporate social responsibility efforts.
Mr. Sachdeva also announced plans to complete renovations of all workers’ living quarters at SRC within 24 months, install solar energy, provide Starklink internet service to their homes, and offer additional social amenities to enhance the well-being of workers on the SRC plantation.
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