MONROVIA – President George Manneh Weah has dedicated the modern Jeety Rubber Corporation processing plant in Weala, Margibi County, with the hope and confidence that the company’s operations will help address the high rate of unemployment in Liberia.
The plant, valued at US$35 million, was inaugurated by President Weah while campaigning in the county on Thursday, August 31. The company is owned by former Indian Honorary Consul General Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, commonly known as “Jeety” in Liberia.
President Weah, accompanied by Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor and other top government officials, cut the ribbon at the plant and activated the equipment to commence the initial rubber processing.
Following the dedication, President Weah and his entourage departed the company’s premises to continue his political campaigning in the county.
In a brief interview with reporters shortly after the dedication, Mr. Sachdeva disclosed that President Weah’s activation of the corporation’s equipment marks the start of the first phase of the company’s operations. He emphasized that the company will provide employment opportunities to about 700 Liberians, especially those in its operational areas, by purchasing between 200 to 250 tons of unprocessed rubber daily. He reiterated the company’s commitment to buying rubber from local farmers to empower them and boost the country’s economy, ultimately benefitting small rubber farmholders.
“Jeety” emphasized that the company will be fully operational throughout the week when it purchases large quantities of rubber from local farmers. He highlighted the significance of rubber as a country commodity, increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people.
Mr. Sachdeva expressed his gratitude to the Government of Liberia, especially President Weah, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, and various ministries and officials for their support throughout the project’s development.
He revealed that the company anticipates generating US$40 to US$50 million for the Liberian government when it begins exporting processed rubber during the first phase of its operations. During this phase, the company will produce and export Technical Specified Rubber (TSR10) and Technical Specified Rubber (TSR20), which are used in the production of various products, including tires, bags, and mats.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Looking ahead, Mr. Sachdeva outlined the company’s plans for the second phase, including the production of rubber bands, gloves, and eventually, tires, within three to six years, as per their contract with the government.
He clarified that although the TSR10 currently being processed is the first rubber used for tire production, actual tire production will not commence immediately. He emphasized that the Jeety Rubber Corporation is one of Liberia’s best modern factories, employing hundreds of citizens.
Moreover, “Jeety” highlighted the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, which have already commenced and include providing piped water to residents in about 15 communities, feeding approximately 500 children daily, and constructing a fully equipped 50-bedroom hospital, expected to begin operations shortly in Weala.
The hospital will feature an operation theatre, a modernized laboratory, x-ray room, ultrasound, eye treatment room, storage room, pharmacy, emergency room, three doctor’s offices, among other facilities.
“I have already started giving back to the people; I am not waiting for the company to start exporting before commencing corporate social responsibility.”
It’s worth noting that in December 2021, the Government of Liberia ratified the Jeety Rubber LLC Investment Incentive Agreement for the production of multiple rubber materials through the 54th National Legislative. According to the agreement, Jeety Rubber LLC will construct, develop, and operate a national rubber processing and production plant for the production of tires and other natural rubber products, including long and short rubber goods. The processing plant will also produce hand gloves, rain boots, and rubber bands, among other products. The company is expected to process approximately 25,000 tons of natural rubber per annum and must consider the interests of local rubber traders and others during its raw material purchases.