The Inquirer (Monrovia)
8 May 2008
Some unknown persons have uprooted several young rubber trees owned by the Management of Firestone Liberia in Division 15. The young trees, about a year and a half old, were planted by the New Development Department as part of the replanting program launched few years ago by the Management of Firestone Liberia.
According to the New Development Headman assigned in the area along the Monrovia/Kakata Highway near Fifteen Gate, Mr. Smith Gowee, the doers of the act visited the affected area on the nights of the 4th and 5th of May 2008. He said the two visits left more than one hundred (100) young rubber trees damaged. Mr. Gowee said sixteen (16) young rubber trees were damaged and abandoned, while eighty-eight (88) of them were uprooted and taken away by the thieves.
Headman Gowee also disclosed that the uprooting of young rubber trees in Division 15 by unknown persons has now become habitual. He narrated that similar incident occurred last year wherein rubber stumps planted in a large portion of Division 15 were uprooted and taken away by rogues.
When contacted, the New Development Supervisor in charge of Division 15, Bartu Siaway confirmed the latest rubber stumps theft; declaring that the uprooting of rubber stumps or young rubber trees usually occurred in Division 15.
Meanwhile, employees of the New Development Department spoken to in the area described the action of the unknown persons as wicked and intended to deprive Firestone employees of job opportunities.
They also noted that "such devilish act threatens our jobs, the future and survival of our children and that of Firestone Liberia. Without the rubber trees there can be no Firestone; without Firestone we can't be here."
According to the employees, the ongoing replanting program is cardinal to the continuation of the company's operations in the country; and needs the support of every well-meaning Liberian, especially the community and those in the employ of Firestone Liberia.
It can be recalled that on May 15, 2006, 272 planted rubber stumps were uprooted and stolen in Division 6. On the 31st of the same month in 2006, 742 newly planted rubber stumps were again uprooted and stolen in Division 11 by unidentified individuals roaming the concession area of Firestone Liberia.
Residents spoken to following the incident are calling on the Government of the Republic of Liberia, UNMIL and other stakeholders in the rubber industry to curtail this ugly and unwholesome practice that has engulfed the entire rubber industry with Firestone been the hardest hit.
They further expressed the fear that if this situation continues unabated, it could cause some setbacks to the rubber industry of the country. Firestone Liberia is currently engaged in the replanting of rubber trees on an accelerated pace aimed at replacing damaged and aged ones. The company is also providing free rubber stumps to Liberian rubber farmers throughout the country as part of efforts to resuscitate the dying Liberian rubber industry.
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