Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), the third largest rubber plantations in Liberia, has suffered significant losses following an alleged arson attack that destroyed nearly 150 rubber trees.
The fire even burnt some of the plastic cups that hold the latex which seeps out of the rubber tree
The incident, which the Liberia National Police Margibi County detachment is investigating as arson, occurred Tuesday, January 28, night in a section of the plantation near Bondolone, a small town located adjacent to the sprawling rubber estate. The flames sent plumes of smoke into the sky; it threatened both livelihoods and other surrounding forest lands.
According to police, two persons of interest have been arrested for questioning as investigations continue. The police have, however, not disclosed the motives of the suspects but say the nature of the incident and preliminary assessments point to an alleged arson attack. The suspects arrested are Joe Bono and Abraham Kpannah.
In a statement, the SRC management noted that the fire incident, which caused over US$35,000 in damages, would have been worse if the Bondolone community had not joined the company Fire Service team to bring the blaze under control.
According to SRC management, the fire incident strikes at the heart of the company’s operations, as beyond the financial toll, it risks the stability of hundreds who depend on SRC for employment and other gainful earnings.
“We are devastated by this attack, which not only affects our operations but also the livelihoods of the many families who depend on SRC for their income,” said Upjit Singh Sachdeva, the Chief Executive Officer of SRC. “The impact of the damage is still being assessed, but preliminary findings put it at over $35,000. However, the long-term impacts on productivity are extensive.”
“We do not know the motives behind this yet as we wait on the police investigations, but whatever it is, it is shocking and troubling,” Sachdeva added. “We are, however, strengthened by the solidarity shown that night. To Bondolone’s residents and our tireless staff: your resolve inspires us to rebuild.”
The alleged arson comes as the Sachdeva management has begun embarking on a series of modernization projects to improve living and working conditions for the company’s workers and other infrastructure, including complete renovations of all primary and secondary schools and the clinic. Other improvements include staff pay raises and the completion of over 50 new housing units for employee accommodations.
SRC, which employs more than 800 workers and is Liberia’s third-largest rubber plantation, was previously owned by Socfin, a Belgian-French agricultural conglomerate.
However, Socfin sold the company to Sachdeva in August 2024, citing 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.
While SRC management has yet to disclose its immediate operational decisions, sources say the company is focused on assessing the long-term impact of the incident and ensuring security measures are reinforced to prevent future attacks. It is unclear whether, in the short term, the company will reduce its workforce or not.
