DISTRICT #5, MARGIBI COUNTY – Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) and its subsidiary, Jeety Rubber LLC, have donated a fully equipped ambulance to its workers and to the people of Margibi County’s District #5, as part of the companies’ corporate social responsibility.
The ambulance, donated on Wednesday, July 23 during a ceremony attended by local officials and community leaders, will provide critical emergency medical services to the companies’ workers and the broader community of 58 villages and town in the SRC concessional area.
It addresses a critical gap in emergency medical services for the region, as the nearest hospital or company clinic is hours away by walking, particularly during the Rainy Season when transportation becomes challenging.
“This ambulance will save lives,” says Upjit Singh Sachdeva, the companies’ CEO, who is famously known as “Mr. Jeety”.
“We expect faster response times for medical emergencies and improved access to specialized care for serious conditions that require immediate hospital treatment,” Jeety added.
The vehicle came customized with some of the modern medical equipment that should be on an ambulance, including oxygen tanks, defibrillators, and other assorted items and medications. The companies have already trained local medical personnel on the operation and maintenance of the ambulance equipment.
The ambulance costs the Indian businessman tycoon over €70,000.
If he were a small stature man, the locals would have carried him on their shoulders joyously dancing and singing around with him. Notwithstanding, they did the latter. They sang beautiful songs of praise in their local Kpelle language to him. One of the songs is translated “Jeety is talk and do;” meaning what he promises, he makes sure to fulfill. This was mainly sung by the traditional midwives.
Other Kind Gestures
In addition to improving the working condition of its workers, Salala Rubber Corporation and its subsidiary have also made available a brand-new 24-seater bus to transport workers’ children and students from neighboring villages to local schools, including the company school. The initiative aims to improve school attendance rate and reduce the educational barriers faced by rural communities.
“Many children were walking several kilometers to reach school, especially during the Rainy Season,” says Irene Darwolor, Chairlady of Baypolou.”
Ms. Darwolor indicated that the bus service will ensure consistent school attendance and reduce dropout rates significantly.
The transportation, according to the companies, will operate on a fixed schedule, covering multiple villages and ensuring students can attend classes regularly regardless of weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the Jeety’s companies have also renovated and dedicated a new town hall for the people of Baypolu, providing the community with a central meeting space for governance, cultural events, and civic activities.
The renovated facility includes meeting rooms, office space for local officials, and a large assembly hall capable of accommodating community gatherings. Local leaders say the town hall will strengthen democratic participation and provide a proper venue for resolving community disputes and planning development projects.
“Having a proper town hall means our community can organize better, hold meetings with dignity, and have a space where our voices can be heard,” added Irene.
Additionally, the companies have completed the installation of more than 50 solar street lights across 56 towns and villages surrounding Salala Rubber Corporation. The solar lighting project addresses security concerns and enables extended community activities after dark.
The donations by Salala Rubber Corporation and its subsidiary, Jeety Rubber, are part of a broader corporate social responsibility strategy to improve the lives and welfare of its workers and the people of Margibi County District #3.
The Jeety Rubber already operates medical clinics serving workers and community members, providing basic healthcare services, including vaccinations and maternal health support.
Mr. Jeety has drilled boreholes and installed tap water systems to provide clean pipe-borne water access to the people of Weala, reducing waterborne diseases.
About Jeety Rubber
Jeety Rubber LLC, which is also based in Weala, the same as SRC, buys and processes rubber into finished and semi-finished products, including TSR 10, for shipment. The company requires a minimum of 225 tons of latex (cup lumps) daily and 6,750 tons monthly to run the factory 24 hours a day.
The factory, which was commissioned October 2023, is a nearly US$50-million rubber-processing factory that is expected to generate between US$40 to US$50 million annually in revenue for the Liberian government.
