Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), Liberia’s third largest rubber plantation, has suffered significant losses following an alleged arson attack that destroyed nearly 150 rubber trees.
The incident, which the Liberia National Police Margibi County Detachment is investigating as arson, occurred early hour of Tuesday, January 28, 2025 on the plantation near Bondolone, a small town adjacent to the sprawling rubber estate, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and threatening both livelihoods and land.
According to police, two persons of interest have already been arrested for questioning as investigations continue.
However, the police did not disclose the motives of the suspects but said 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 said 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.
The statement said the fire incident strikes at the heart of the company’s operations, beyond the financial toll, and risks the stability of hundreds who depend on SRC.
The Chief Executive Officer of SRC Upjit Sing Sachdeva (Jeety) said they are devastated by this attack, which not only affects their operations but also the livelihoods of the many families who depend on SRC for their income.
“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 said.
According to him, they are strengthened by the solidarity shown that night and to the Bondolone’s residents and their tireless staff who inspire them 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.
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.
