Weala, Margibi County – Jeety Rubber Liberia Limited Corporation has purchased a 100% stake in Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), taking over the ownership of the company from its previous owner, Socfinaf S.A.

By Obediah Johnson, obediah.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Located in Weala, Margibi County, Jeety LLC is a subsidiary of Jeety Conglomerate.

A statement issued by Socfinaf S.A in Luxembourg on August 27, 2024, disclosed that the purchase of SRC by Jeety Rubber was concluded on August 26, 2024.

It indicated that all-natural rubber harvested at SRC would no longer be processed within the Socfin Group or sold by its trading arm, Sogescol. It disclosed that as per the wish of the new owner, Jeety Rubber LLC, Socfin Group’s consulting arm, Socfinco shall remain as the managing agent of SRC for one year in order to ensure the appropriate transfer of technological know-how.

According to Socfinaf S.A, Jeety Rubber LLC recognizes the importance of matters relating to land compensation and access to sacred sites to the local communities and has pledged its support to Socfinaf which has indicated that despite the sale of SRC to Jeety Rubber LLC, it remains fully committed to SRC’s 2023 Action Plan regarding land compensation issues and access to sacred sites, based on the findings of the Earthworm Foundation on-site investigation.

Jeety Rubber LLC, a subsidiary of the Jeety Conglomerate based in Weala, Margibi County, buys and processes rubber into finished and semi-finished products, TSR 10, for shipment. However, the company has struggled to buy enough latex cup lumps to operate its factory at full capacity.

It can be recalled that Jeety Rubber LLC reported that it was not getting enough latex (cup lumps) to run the factory at optimum capacity.

The entity reported that it requires a minimum of 225 Tons of latex (cup lumps) daily and 6,750 monthly to run the factory 24 hours, and further that it needed to stack a minimum of two months of cup lumps/latex supply in the factory to operate the factory at optimum capacity.

Industry observers believe that Jeety Rubber LLC’s acquisition of SRC is strategic and would go a long way in addressing the raw material needs of the factory.

“This purchase of SRC, concessionaire, moves Jeety Rubber from the category of processor into the category of a processor to a concessionaire, thereby giving it immense leverage to achieve its goal of producing Made in Liberia rubbers products, including latex gloves and tires in the short and long term.”

When contacted for comments, Jeety Rubber LLC Chief Executive Office, Upjit Singh Sachdeva, vowed to address the Liberian people and public in general to provide relevant details regarding his purchase of SRC.

Salala Rubber Corporation is Liberia’s fourth-largest rubber producing and processing company. It produces semi-processed rubber used in the manufacture of tires. The company was formed in July 2007 through the merger of a stand-alone rubber processing factory (Weala Rubber Company) and a stand-alone rubber plantation (formerly Salala Rubber Corporation).

With the help of a US$10 million loan from the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation, the company’s former owner, the Belgian multinational Socfin, expanded its operations.

In July this year, the former management of SRC Socfin announced the indefinite closure of its operations following a violent protest.

Over 900 Liberians were out of jobs following the incident. But the latest purchase of SRC by Jeety Rubber LLC to purchase SRC has secured the jobs for them.

There were concerns that the employees and their respective family members would experience harsh economic constraints following the shutting down of the company’s operations.

But with the intervention made by Jeety Rubber LLC, the wellbeing of the employees and their respective family members are guaranteed. Economic activities that were reported to be at a standstill are now booming in Weala, Margibi County following the purchase of SRC by Jeety Rubber LLC.

Margibi County—In response to the growing hardships faced by families due to the recent closure of the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), former Indian Honorary Consul General Upjit Singh, commonly known as Jetty, has initiated a weekly hot meal program for children on the SRC plantation.

By: Yawah Y. Jaivey

On Sunday, Mr. Singh provided hot meals to more than 1,500 children across seven camps on the plantation.

He has committed to continuing this initiative every Sunday, offering much-needed relief to the community affected by the indefinite shutdown of SRC’s operations.

The closure of SRC followed a violent protest at the company’s premises in Weala, Margibi County. As a result, over 800 jobs were lost, deeply affecting the livelihoods of many families. 

Mr. Singh’s intervention aims to alleviate some of the suffering experienced by the plantation workers and their children in the wake of this crisis.

Speaking during the inauguration of the feeding program, the special assistant to Singh emphasized the motivation behind this initiative. 

“Serving humanity is at the heart of Mr. Jetty. He has decided to provide hot meals for the children on the plantation every Sunday,” the assistant stated.

For his part, Mr. Moses Darmo, a contractor at the SRC plantation, expressed his gratitude for Singh’s generosity, acknowledging the expansion of his feeding program from Monrovia and Weala to include the SRC plantation. 

Mr. Darmo, however, offered prayers for continued blessings upon Singh as he endeavors to support those in need.

The program has been well-received by the community. 

The parents of the beneficiaries said the provision of hot meals for their children not only provides nourishment to them but also gives hope during these challenging times.

Monrovia – Indian businessman Upjit Singh Sachdeva has provided feeding to over 7000 inmates and less fortunate citizens in Monrovia and Weala, Margibi County respectively.

By Obediah Johnson, obediah.johson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Mr. Sachdeva, who is commonly known as “Jeety” in Liberia, is the immediate past Honorary Consul General of India to Liberia, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Jeety Rubber Liberia Limited Corporation and Jeety Trading Corporation, a premier in the sale of hardware and other household materials.

Over 1,500 inmates, 2000 disadvantaged and less fortunate citizens, and 4,000 children were fed and provided gifts in Weala and Monrovia.

The initiative which is a normal routine is part of a Home Cooked Hot Meal initiative launched by Jeety in February 2017.

The Home-Cooked Hot Meal Program was launched to help alleviate the high rate of hunger and poverty in Liberia.

Since its inauguration, the program has provided over 2M plates of meal to Liberians. It gained prominence during the first outbreak of the Coronavirus in Liberia in March 2020.

Presenting the meal to the beneficiaries, Mr. Sachdeva noted that the gesture was intended to help ensure that inmates and disadvantaged youths have access to food as compared to others during the celebration of the country’s Independence.

He stated that inmates have been confined behind bars or being reprimanded for acts committed or accused of, but they should not be forgotten by those who are in the position to extend helping hands to them.

He observed that disadvantaged Liberians and others who cannot afford to fetch food for themselves, especially on the celebration of the country’s Independence, should not be abandoned or neglected.

Jeety maintained that regardless of their present situations, these inmates and less fortunate citizens are also humans created by God and as such, they should be remembered not only during the festive season, but every other day.

At the celebration with kids in Weala, Jeety emphasized the importance of giving and nurturing the country’s future leaders. 

He reiterated his commitment to bringing smiles to the children on significant days. Jeety’s efforts have a lasting impact, catalyzing community unity and a brighter future.

His dedication to empowering children, inmates, and marginalized individuals across Monrovia and other counties highlights his belief that everyone deserves dignity and redemption.

At the prison, he provided hot meals, soft drinks, sachets of water, and a cake, which he also shared with over 700 underprivileged youths.

This act of kindness was appreciated by the Monrovia Central Prison Superintendent, Verney Lake, who praised Jeety’s ongoing support for the inmates.

Jeety’s dedication to helping others stems from his own humble beginnings in India, where he faced numerous challenges. Through hard work, determination, and the support of his parents, he overcame these obstacles and built a successful business empire in Liberia, including a state-of-the-art rubber factory in Weala.

KAKATA, Margibi County –– As part of its corporate social responsibility, the Jeety Rubber Liberia Limited Corporation has embarked on the construction of a modern clinic to provide adequate health care delivery to thousands of residents of Weala in Cinta Township, Margibi County.

It can be recalled that the Government of Liberia, through the 54^th National Legislative sometimes ago ratified the Jeety Rubber LLC Investment Incentive Agreement.

The company, which is expected to commence full operations in the country very soon, is owned by renowned Indian business tycoon, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, who is commonly known as “Jeety” in Liberia.

Dr. Sachdeva, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jeety Trading Corporation-a premier importer and distributor in hardware and building materials- and scores of other businesses across the country.

The 25-bedroom health facility will accommodate more than 55 in-take patients in Weala. It is nearly 90% completed will commence full operations at the end of this year.

It will host an operation theatre, a modernized laboratory, x-ray room, ultra sound, eye treatment room, store room, pharmacy, emergency room, three doctor offices, among others.

Speaking in an interview with Reporters in Weala over the week end, Cinta Township Commissioner Roland B. Johnson disclosed that the facility, when completed will be the first of its kind in the area.

He added that citizens of the county previously doubted the establishment of the company when interest was expressed by the Indian businessman to invest in the area last year.

“Mr. Jeety told us that he wants to open a company here and it was so astonishing to us; we didn’t really see it to come to light because there are lots of companies that came with the intent to establish but at the end of the day, they will not go forward. But we saw Mr. Jeety coming, clearing land and employing our people.”

He emphasized that though the company is yet to commence full operations, over 200 sons and daughters hailing from the county have already been employed.

“Mr. Jeety told the local leaders and me that he came to build the economy in our area.”

He heaped praises on the Indian business tycoon for also seeing the need to lease the homes of few residents in the township-a move which has economically sustained the owners and their respective families.

“Jeety took two houses from a lady here. Now, she has about five houses. For this clinic, this is the first of its kind to see a company coming to us. The company has not even started to get proceed from this place, but they have already started to help us.”

Mr. Johnson noted that the establishment of the clinic will help alleviate the multiple constraints the locals are faced with in commuting from one county to another in search of better health services.

He stressed that over 20,000 residents of the township have been relying on the minimum health services being rendered to them by the WCC and Salala Rubber Corporation clinics respectively.

He said the harsh economic constraints and hardship cannot allow vast majority of the residents to seek medical attention at these facilities due to the fees being charged.

“As we all know the economic situation, the people need to survive too. But for this clinic that is being constructed by Mr. Jeety, he told me that he’s doing this to help the citizens and provide health services to our people. We are very much happy to see this.”

Huge transportation fares

Mr. Johnson disclosed that patients and their family members are most often constrained to spend huge money on transportation to seek treatment at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia.

 He said the only referral hospital in Margibi, C. H. Rennie is down and as such, the establishment of a modern clinic by “Jeety” will bring a great relief to the citizens.

“Our people have to go faraway places or to JFK for treatment and so, it is a serious burden on the citizens. Mr. Jeety coming here to establish this clinic is solely a blessing for us and we will always remember him and appreciate the government for allowing him to move in this art of Liberia to help our citizens.”

He maintained the move will also curtail the risks residents faced in travelling long distances for medical treatment.

Mr. Johnson further stressed the need for authorities of the Jeety Clinic to live up to the commitment and policy that would be set aside for its full operations.

He called on them to see reason to employ qualified and competent nurses and other medical workers at the clinic following its full completion.

“We want Mr. Jeety to bring qualified doctors who will be able to also train our people in this place. Weala is an emergency area and we are working to make sure Weala gets the rightful services that we all need so that our lives can be improved. We will continue to work with Mr. Jeety no matter what happens, not for our own benefits, but for the benefit of our people and to make sure that his investment is fruitful for him to continue to give back to the society.”

Mr. Johnson, however, expressed the hope that the clinic will render services free of charge to citizens of the township.

Also speaking, one of the women leaders, Martha Sandwidi recalled that pregnant women are compelled to commute or trek long distances for ultrasound and other medical services outside of Weala.

She said the establishment of more medical facilities in the township will ease the multiple burdens of seeking medical care elsewhere, especially during the night hours.

“I want to tell the almighty God thank you for Jeety who have decided to provide better health services for our people. This clinic will save our lives a lot. Since Jeety decided to open this place, he told us that he will make it free for us he’s showing his us love.”

A plea for ambulance

She further used this medium to appeal to Mr. Sachdeva to also provide an ambulance service.

“I this district, there is no ambulance. When we have emergency cases during the nights, we go to our nearby brothers who have vehicles to help us, or we call SRC to bring their bus to give us lift to take that patient to the nearby clinic.”

“There is no modern health facility for us here; it’s just by the mercy of God we are all living. And with the services that Jeety Clinic will be offering, we thank God for that.”

Madam Sandwidi expressed optimism that the facility will be a success story and would be utilized to its full potential as evidenced by numerous initiatives undertaken by Jeety over a short period of time though the company has not commenced operations.

“We are hopeful that our lives will be saved right here and we will not have to go to Kakata or Monrovia for treatment.”

She, however, called on residents of Weala, especially women to remain patient-minded and rally around Jeety for the improvement of their wellbeing.

She added that helping hands should also be extended to authorities or workers at the clinic by the locals engaging into volunteerism to give the facility a facelift.

Boosting the economy

For his part, an eminent businessman in Weala, Mr.  Cleophus Richards expressed confidence that the formation of the clinic and company by Jeety will help boost economic activities in Weala.

He said the ideally located clinic will serve as a referral facility for other health facilities that are not offering advance services in the area.

“Since Jeety started his company works here, economic activities have increased. Jeety employed most of the employees that were redundant by SRC. And that is a good thing. Now our brothers and sisters are working, they will be able to do more businesses or improve their businesses.”

He maintained that the worth for money will be realized when the proposed Jeety Clinic commences full operations in Weala.

“From here to SRC clinic on motorbike is around L$200. You do not have car running in there. But if you have this clinic right here on the road which is walking distance, people will prefer coming here than to go way over there.”

Mr. Richards further vowed to expand his business in the soonest possible time as a result of the investment being carried out in Weala by Jeety.

“This clinic will be very helpful to our people and I want to tell Jeety thank you because he continues to live up to his words. We also want him to try to fasten the project so our people can benefit because right now, most of our people cannot afford to go for treatment to the clinic or hospital.”

Assurance

Dr. M. Hablani, is the incoming head of the proposed Jeety Clinic. He previously worked at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital and the John F. Kennedy Medical Center.

According to him, the facility, when completed will provide treatment for multiple illnesses and diseases patients, including women and children are battling.

He said critical or complicated cases will be transferred to referral hospitals outside of Margibi through the use of an ambulance service in a timely manner.

Dr. Hablani stated that “modernized treatments” will be accorded all patients seeking medical attention in a professional manner.

“For clinical and other problems, we will be able to do them right here. We will treat all patients but serious cases will not be handled here. We will have an ambulance here and our workers will be professional and qualified people coming from here.”

Jeety Rubber agreement

According to the agreement signed with the government, Jeety Rubber LLC will construct, develop and operate a national rubber processing and production plant for the production of tyres and other natural rubber products. It includes long and short rubber goods.

The processing plant is also expected to produce hand gloves, rain boots, and rubber bands, among others.

The company will process approximately 25,000 tons of natural rubber per annum.

It compels Jeety Rubber LLC to consider the interest of local rubber traders and others during its purchasing of raw materials.

Benefits

In the wake of the high level of unemployment rate in Liberia, the Jeety Rubber processing plant agreement ratified by the Liberian government will help many citizens to put food on the tables for themselves and their respective households.

More than 300 Liberians are expected to gain full employment with the company upon the commencement of its full operations.

Additional citizens will also be accorded job opportunities following the expansion of the company’s operation.

Jeety Rubber LLC will also prioritize the purchasing of latex from small local rubber planters across the 15 counties in a bid to help expand the Liberian economy, which is experiencing turbulent times.

Already local rubber producers are finding it very difficult to grow, harvest, or market their products due to the lack of investment opportunities in the sector.

Citizens of the company’s area of operations are the ones that will be given preference in terms of job provision.

Combating poverty

The new agreement ratified by the government of Liberia has the proclivity to also combat the high rate of poverty in Liberia.

It will alleviate sufferings among the citizenry through the provision of job opportunities and contributions to basic social services and empowerment opportunities in keeping with its corporate social responsibility.

Many believed that the establishment and commencement of full operations by Jeety Rubber LLC in Liberia will now compel other foreign and local rubber production companies operating in the country to muster the courage to ensure the construction of companies to process the unfinished materials to finished goods.

When this is done, it would immensely contribute to combating security threats in Liberia as a result of the influx of vulnerable youths who continue to roam across the country due to the lack of job opportunities.

Some young people in Liberia are engaged in unwholesome practices in the nation due to the lack of foreign direct investment opportunities to guarantee their employment and in turn, contribute towards addressing the immediate needs of them and their respective family members.

With the latest agreement signed and ratified between the Liberian government and Jeety Rubber LLC, a win-win situation for all is certain in the wake of numerous challenges confronting Liberia and its citizens.

Indian business tycoon Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva has extended his hot cooked meal initiative to the Redemption Hospital in the populated slum Borough of New Kru Town on the Bushrod Island, outside Monrovia as part of efforts to combat against hunger in the post-conflict nation.

Mr. Sachdeva is commonly known as “Jeety” in Liberia. He is the former Indian Honorary Consul General to Liberia and the owner of various businesses operating in the country; including his trademark business-Jeety Trading Corporation. He’s also the Chief Executive Officer of Jeety Rubbers Liberia Limited, a rubber processing company that is current being constructed in Weala, Margibi County.

He launched his Home-Cooked Hot Meal Program in February 2017 to help alleviate the high rate of hunger and poverty in Liberia.

Since its inauguration, the program has provided meals to over 3M Liberians, including less fortunate, visually impaired, inmates, old folks, and disadvantaged youths commonly known as “zogos”, among others. It gained prominence during the first outbreak of the Coronavirus in Liberia in March 2020.

The program took another shape when Mr. Sachdeva commenced the renovation and provision of pipe-borne water and generators to the Monrovia and Kakata Central prisons respectively.

For over two months now, the program has been a blessing to in and out patients seeking medical attention at the Redemption Hospital.

Patients who are finding it difficult to even purchase medicines after doctors’ prescription or shoulder other bills at the facility are given a sumptuous meal by “Jeety” on a daily basis at the hospital.

In a letter dated September 1, 2022 and addressed to Mr. Sachdeva under the signatures of Acting General Administrator Facia L. MCcauley and Medical Director Williametta S. Williams Gibson, the hospital commended the Indian businessman for the gesture.

“We present compliments and like to extend our thanks and appreciation on behalf of the management and staff of Redemption Hospital to your Honorable office for your immense contribution in providing food and water for all of our patients on a daily basis for over two months now.”

“Your continuous humanitarian support to the people of Liberia and the Redemption Hospital further demonstrates your interest to support the development efforts in the health sector in Liberia.”

The management emphasized that Redemption is the “single largest government run facility that renders free health services to all of its patients”, but the issue of feeding remains a challenge. “We are pleased with your timely generosity and would like to inform you that the feeding exercise is a blessing to the almost 80% patients who cannot afford even a bag of water during admission. Thanks for your support as we strive to improve the health sector of our beloved country.”

Monrovia  – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Milton Gbehzohngar Findley has expressed his satisfaction with the launch and sustenance of the Public Feeding Initiative being undertaken by the Honorary Consul General of India, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva.

By Alaskai Moore Johnson, alaskaijohnson@gmail.com

Honorary Consul General Sachdeva, who is commonly known in Liberia as Jeety, is primarily giving daily hot, ready meal to mainly the less privileged segment of the population in Liberia’s capital city, Monrovia.

Since Mr. Jeety began his feeding campaign this lockdown on May 4, 2020, he has handed out more than 30,000 plates of ready, hot meal to mostly disadvantaged Liberians residing in very poor neighborhoods in Monrovia.

“The Honorary Consul General of India, who himself is a distinguished entrepreneur in Liberia, has a history of excellent partnership and communal cooperation to the national development drive of Liberia. This, we believe, is germane to strengthening the already cordial relationship between the people of the Republic of India and the people of the Republic of Liberia,” Foreign Minister Findley said Tuesday, May 19, in a Ministry of Foreign Affairs release.

Foreign Minister Findley, who is the nation’s top diplomat, recalls that over the years, Mr. Jetty has been “overly instrumental in ensuring that the Republic of India extends concrete bilateral support to the people of Liberia through several donations, including a number of buses provided the Government of Liberia through the National Transit Authority (NTA) to enable easy access to public transportation across the country.”

He further stated that Mr. Jeety’s investment corporation — Jeety Trading Corporation (JTC) — has led a number of quick interventions through the provision of essential materials to the public since the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus disease in Liberia.

The Honorary Consul General on Wednesday, May 6, donated 10,000 doses of the vital selenium drug used in the supportive treatment of Covid-19 patients and others.

The Honorary Consul General of India, who himself is a distinguished entrepreneur in Liberia, has a history of excellent partnership and communal cooperation to the national development drive of Liberia. This, we believe, is germane to strengthening the already cordial relationship between the people of the Republic of India and the people of the Republic of Liberia

Foreign Minister Milton Gbehzohngar Findley

Honorary Consul General Sachdeva presented the two cartons containing 100 bottles each of the drugs to Dr. Jerry Brown, at the 14 Military Hospital in Margibi County, where Liberia’s Covid-19 confirmed cases are kept and being given supportive treatments against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2.

Again on April 11, 2020, Mr. Jeety led the Indian Community in Liberia and they made a donation valued more than US$40,000 through Dr. Jerry Brown to the 14 Military Hospital and to the army assigned at the hospital.

During that donation ceremony, he informed Dr. Brown that he had honored his request and brought in the specific things he had asked him for a day earlier. “During my conversation yesterday and day before with Dr. Brown, he was very passionate and worried about the safety of health workers at the hospital and requested for 10 aluminum doors (5-double doors) which without hesitation and waiting for the donation ceremony, we delivered it yesterday. Also he requested us for folding hospital beds, nurses’ uniforms, bed sheets, pillow, pillow covers, electric washing machine and electric dryer among others.  Dr. Brown, we are pleased to inform you that we have brought everything as part of our donation.” 

Further in the Foreign Ministry release, the Foreign Minister expects that Mr. Jeety’s public feeding initiative will go a long way in meeting the daily nutritional needs of underprivileged Liberians, as the nation continues to strive not only to combat this pandemic, but also in reducing hunger and poverty in Liberia and across the globe.

The Foreign Ministry further said that ending hunger and poverty is an ambitious goal set forth by the Sustainable Development Goals, a global commitment of nations towards achieving a better world.

“As a signatory to said commitment, Liberia continues to strive towards attaining said goal; indicative of our demonstrated commitment reflected in the pillars of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). All of the pillars of the PAPD are inextricably tied towards the ultimate goal of ending poverty, hopelessness and deprivation which have attended the livelihood of ordinary Liberians for several decades.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hopeful that other friendly partners will emulate the good examples of Honorary Consul General Sachdeva, by reaching out to those in need especially so, in such crisis time when the underprivileged are protocol-bound to stay home which isolates their chances of fending for their daily survivals. 

Monrovia – The Honorary Consul General of India, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, has over the last six days fed nearly 11,000 Liberians living on the margin of their society.

By Alaskai Moore Johnson, alaskaijohnson@gmail.com

This is a personal initiative of Mr. Sachdeva, a very popular Indian businessman, who is more famously known in Liberia as “Mr. Jeety.”

Jeety, along with his Jeety Trading Corporation, the name of his business empire, in six days have fed 10,817 people with hot, ready-cooked Liberian dishes.

He himself has been a part of all the six feeding programs. He begins feeding these Liberians, who inarguably live on less than US$0.50 daily, by 15:00 hours when the curfew or lockdown goes into effect.

Jeety has always refused to speak to the press about this particular gesture that he is personally doing. Notwithstanding, at Saturday, May 9^th feeding, he said in passing, when a journalists covering the occasion was seeking his permission for interview: “Look, my friend, I don’t want to talk about this. These are my people; this is my second home. All I want is more prayers for more of God’s blessings on me.”

He began Saturday’s feeding at his Vai Town business headquarters with few hundred older, young and very young Liberians forming two queues to be served the hot and tasty palm butter already packaged for take home.

From Vai Town, he and his team, along with officers of the Liberian National Police (LNP), who accompanied to provide security, made stops on Buchanan Street, Center Street, Randall Street, Newport Street and in Logan Town’s Zolowee Community, to handout the packaged palm butter with rice and one sachet of water. On all these streets in the heart of Monrovia and in Logan Town, are located dens for these destitute Liberians.

In all these places, those of them who spoke to this newspaper, praised Jeety so highly for his gesture to them.

“We just wait for Mr. Jeety to come give us something to eat everyday. Since the lockdown began, we don’t go anywhere to hustle now. So, we just wait for Mr. Jeety to bring us food. God is going to continually bless him,” said a pregnant lady, who only identified herself as Ora, on Center Street.

Some expressed real anger against the government and President George Manneh Weah. Most said they voted for him thinking that he was going to be there for them. Sadly, they now think that the President has failed them.

Mr. Jeety has over the last five years been feeding ordinary Liberians, who go to his Vai Town feeding center five days a week to get hot, ready-cooked Liberian dish.

Other Gestures

The Honorary Consul General on Wednesday, May 6, donated 10,000 doses of the vital selenium drug used in the supportive treatment of Covid-19 patients and others.

Honorary Consul General Sachdeva presented the two cartons containing 100 bottles each of the drugs to Dr. Jerry Brown, at the 14 Military Hospital in Margibi County, where Liberia’s Covid-19 confirmed cases are kept and being given supportive treatments against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-nCoV-2.

Again on April 11, 2020, Mr. Jeety led the Indian Community in Liberia and they made a donation valued more than US$40,000 through Dr. Jerry Brown to the 14 Military Hospital and to the army assigned at the hospital.

During that donation ceremony, he informed Dr. Brown that he had honored his request and brought in the specific things he had asked him for a day earlier. “During my conversation yesterday and day before with Dr. Brown, he was very passionate and worried about the safety of health workers at the hospital and requested for 10 aluminum doors (5-double doors) which without hesitation and waiting for the donation ceremony, we delivered it yesterday. Also he requested us for folding hospital beds, nurses’ uniforms, bed sheets, pillow, pillow covers, electric washing machine and electric dryer among others.  Dr. Brown, we are pleased to inform you that we have brought everything as part of our donation.” 

Zogos and Zogeese

Most of those Liberians, who are fed are vagrants, locally known as ‘zogos’ for men and ‘zogeese’ for women. These men and women and sometimes kids, also live wildly, including residing among the dead in the cemetery. They are also illicit substance abusers. They make their living by doing some very odd jobs, garbage scavenging, car washing, helping commuters to get car for their various destinations and hard labor chaos, like grass cutting. However, chief among their operations, is to snatch valuables, which they sell for cheap just to buy their contraband. It has also been reported that most of them do arm rob, too.

Monrovia – The Honorary Consul General of India, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, who is more popularly known in Liberia as Jeety, Wednesday, May 6, donated 10,000 doses of the vital selenium drug used in the supportive treatment of Covid-19 patients and others.

By Alaskai Moore Johnson, alaskaijohnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Honorary Consul General Sachdeva presented the two cartons containing 100 bottles each of the drugs to Dr. Jerry Brown, at the 14 Military Hospital in Margibi County, where Liberia’s Covid-19 confirmed cases are kept and being given supportive treatments against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-nCoV-2.

Presenting the items to Dr. Brown, Mr. Jeety, said it is his humbled desire to do whatever little he can to do for the 14 Military Hospital and the people of Liberia. The donation was part of his personal gesture.

He further told journalists that he wasn’t in the position to disclose the amount he had spent in purchasing and having them brought to Liberia via DHL at this time when all commercial flights are banned from landing in Liberia. Liberia is presently locked down; only special chartered flights are allowed to taxi on the runway as the nation battles the virus.

Speaking further, Mr. Jeety, who is also a renowned Indian businessman in Liberia, said he is being pushed further to help Liberia because, “I just feel this is my home, so I must do whatever I can to help.” He has lived most of his years in Liberia than his home country of India.

“I was in the US and as the crisis was heating up, I ran back here to put all resources at my disposal—personal or from Indians living in Liberia—to whatever we can do for the people of Liberia,” he said. He further stated that he believes that Liberia is his home and whatever he can do for Liberia and Liberians, he will do. He stated categorically that he doesn’t need anything in return from the government; adding: “I just need blessings and prayers.”

“Let it be known that this is not the cure for Covid-19 but we use it as a supplement for our patients here, and we also use it as supplement for the staff working here. We use it to boost our immunity, to have a robust immunity just in case we get exposed.”

Dr. Jerry Brown, Head Doctor, 14 Military Hospital

Dr. Jerry Brown

Receiving the items, Dr. Brown, who was one of those leaders in the fight against the 2014 Ebola outbreak, expressed how elated they are for the donation. “Let it be known that this is not the cure for Covid-19 but we use it as a supplement for our patients here, and we also use it as supplement for the staff working here. We use it to boost our immunity, to have a robust immunity just in case we get exposed.”

Dr. Brown disclosed that they mix the selenium with other drugs, which he didn’t name, adding: “Using it as a supplement with other drugs seems to be working; we are getting results with the very little resources we have. We don’t have a lot of sophisticated equipment, as God would have it, we are yielding success.”

He said they had run out of supply of selenium and having realized that it can’t be found locally, he reached out to Mr. Jeety to help.

Eugene Fahngon

Deputy Information Minister Eugene Fahngon, who spoke on behalf of the government, expressed his heartfelt thanks to Mr. Jeety for his timely personal initiative. Mr. Fahngon further stated, “We want to use this occasion to call on all of our partners and all of the people helping us to see reasons to continue to help us.”

He told Mr. Jeety that President George Weah is very keen on donations that come from people like him.

“You may recall he asked all hands to come on board. He was very sincere when he asked everyone to get on board,” he concluded.      

Recent Donation

On April 11, 2020, Mr. Jeety led the Indian Community in Liberia and they made a donation valued more than US$40,000 through Dr. Brown to the hospital and to the army assigned at the hospital.

“To honor the health workers (50) including doctors, nurses, janitorial staff, lab assistants etc., assigned at hospital, we have brought for them two bags of rice per head and in sealed envelope separately US$100 for each health worker. For Dr. Brown, we have brought envelope of US$1000 along with two bags of rice. We are also giving 100 bags of rice to the gallant men & women of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who are serving at the hospital.”

India’s Honorary Consul General in Liberia, Mr. Upjit Singh SAchdeva

During that donation ceremony, He informed Dr. Brown that he had honored his request and brought in the specific things he had asked him for a day earlier. “During my conversation yesterday and day before with Dr. Brown, he was very passionate and worried about the safety of health workers at the hospital and requested for 10 aluminum doors (5-double doors) which without hesitation and waiting for the donation ceremony, we delivered it yesterday. Also he requested us for folding hospital beds, nurses’ uniforms, bed sheets, pillow, pillow covers, electric washing machine and electric dryer among others.  Dr. Brown, we are pleased to inform you that we have brought everything as part of our donation.” 

Mr. Jeety than also made one of the best announcements: “To honor the health workers (50) including doctors, nurses, janitorial staff, lab assistants etc., assigned at hospital, we have brought for them two bags of rice per head and in sealed envelope separately US$100 for each health worker. For Dr. Brown, we have brought envelope of US$1000 along with two bags of rice. We are also giving 100 bags of rice to the gallant men & women of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who are serving at the hospital.”

It was at this donation ceremony that he told Dr. Brown that he (Jeety) was just a phone call away and that whatever he needs for the hospital, he (Brown) shouldn’t hesitate to call him.

Boys Town, Margibi – Indians living in Liberia have made a “huge” donation to the medical personnel and the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia assigned at the 14 Military Hospital in Margibi County.

The 14 Military Hospital is where more than 25 of the country’s over 35 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 are being kept, observed and given supportive treatments.

Honorary Indian Consul General

Before he presented the items which were in the buckets of nine trucks, the Honorary Consul General of India, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, who is popularly known in Liberia as Jeety, told the Liberians doing all to save lives at the 14 Military Hospital that on behalf of Indians living in Liberia and as Honorary Consul General of India in Liberia, they had gone there to identify with them. 

“We are touched by the level of work done by doctors, nurses, janitors and all other health workers and the gallant men & women of the Armed Forces of Liberia.

“We are so proud of you all for risking your lives to save others’ lives is priceless. I on behalf of Indians living in Liberia, we salute you for your courage, dedication, commitment to save each and every precious life in Liberia.”

Mr. Sachdeva singled out Dr. Jerry Brown, who was one of those leaders in the fight against the 2014 Ebola outbreak. “Now he has taken charge to defeat and win over COVID-19 Coronavirus. I would like to mention here with pride and honor the selfless commitment of Dr. Jerry Brown and his passionate love for his patients. He was the Man of the Year for EBOLA and he will be Coronavirus Hero in Liberia.”

He also informed Dr. Brown that he had honored his request and brought in the specific things he had asked him for a day earlier. “During my conversation yesterday and day before with Dr. Brown, he was very passionate and worried about the safety of health workers at the hospital and requested for 10 aluminum doors (5-double doors) which without hesitation and waiting for the donation ceremony, we delivered it yesterday. Also he requested us for folding hospital beds, nurses uniforms, bed sheets, pillow, pillow covers, electric washing machine and electric dryer among others.  Dr. Brown, we are pleased to inform you that we have brought everything as part of our donation.” 

The Indian diplomat, who said Liberia is their second home, than made one of the best announcements: “To honor the health workers (50) including doctors, nurses, janitorial staff, lab assistants etc., assigned at hospital, we have brought for them two bags of rice per head and in sealed envelope separately US$100 for each health worker. For Dr. Brown, we have brought envelope of US$1000 along with two bags of rice. We are also giving 100 bags of rice to the gallant men & women of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who are serving at the hospital.”

Before he presented the envelopes and list of all the items on the trucks to Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, Mr. Jeety told Dr. Brown that the donation was an initial gesture from their community and that he (Dr. Brown) should feel free to call on them anything should there be a need.

Foreign Minister Findley

Responding, Foreign Minister Findley expressed President George Weah’s heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the donation.

“The President is very concerned on how we win this battle against this Coronavirus. He wants to see all Liberians joining together to fight this virus,” he stated.

The Foreign Minister congratulated the personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who were being led by one Colonel Dada, for the level of work they had done on the facilities, which is not fully operational as a hospital.

He than passed over the envelopes and one list of items to Dr. Brown and also handed a list, too, to Col. Dada for him to be in the know of the things donated by the Indians.

“We only pray to the Almighty God that as you all endeavor to do your work that God will guide, protect and save all of you,” he stated.

Colonel Dada, AFL

Also speaking, Col. Dada of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) thanked the Foreign Minister and Mr. Jeety; adding: “We are in this fight together with the nurses and doctors. We will ensure that we assist them in any way possible to make their jobs much easier.” He promised to convey to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia the 100 bags of rice that the Indians had given.

Dr. Jerry Brown

Also speaking, Dr. Brown, who now heads the medical team at the 14 Military Hospital, thanked Mr. Jeety and the Indian Community.

“It is not about the money for which the staff has decided to come here, but it is about ensuring that we all work together to restore peace and sanity in our country. As long as Corona continues to exist in our communities, neighborhood, in our country there won’t be peace.”

Dr. Brown, who was one of those who were on the frontline battling the deadly Ebola virus disease, appealed to every Liberian to adhere to all the health protocols.

“As you have come with these gifts, we have one passionate appeal to all Liberians. Please note that the coronavirus exists. If you have been doubting it, please know that it is in Liberia. Please adhere to those safety measures: social distancing is very important, washing your hands is very important, avoid large crowd. That is the only way we can all work together to prevent corona from spreading further.” He warned that if Liberians do otherwise, there will be many deaths and a long way to go.

Thanking Pres. Weah

He also used the occasion to thank the President for his vision to construct the facility that is now being used to host those who have come down so far with the virus.

“Had he not been visionary enough, today there would have been difficult have a site to attend to corona patients,” he said.

Update on Patients

Giving updates on the 26 confirmed persons who he and others are now looking after, he thanked God that his patients have all been stable and none has had any critical complications so far that will require some sophisticated medical equipment like ventilation, oxygen, etc.

He, however, appealed for those pieces of medical equipment that are needed at the 14 Military Hospital. He stated that efforts are being made by partners to supply them with those essentials pieces of equipment.

He controversially said those who have died as a result of the virus, “are those who refused to come for care when they were sick.”       

Items Donated

Among the 45 items presented to Dr. Brown and others were 100 cartons of Nice Biscuits, 10 cartons Digestive Biscuits, 100 cartons tissue, 200 cartons soap and 50 cartons Clora bleach. The Indians also presented 50 pieces of Hospital Folding Beds, 50 pieces Elegance single mattresses, 50 pieces pillows, 50 pieces bed sheets with pillow covers, five bails of Nursing Uniforms, one piece of LG Electric washer and one piece of LG Electric Dryer among others.