SRC Shut Down Plant
The Management of the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) in Weala town, Cinta Township, Gibi District, upper Margibi County has shut down its rubber processing plant.
Speaking in an interview with the Liberia News Agency, the General Manager of the corporation, Michael Dannie Beukes said the high financial cost associated with running the rubber processing plant, coupled with the shortage of rubber, and the proliferation of processing plants in close proximity has forced the closure of the Weala factory.
He said the closure would obviously cause some operational disruption and subsequent retrenchments of some of the workforce and relocate others where possible. Mr. Beukes added that the unrelenting slaughter tapping of Liberia’s mature rubber trees, including increasing wave of rubber theft, and the spiraling security costs, it was necessary to take these austerity measures.
The SRC General Manager however said the company has no plan to shut down operations here, but will for now focus on the full rejuvenation and expansion of its 22,000 acres of concessional land.
He said with this new business plan in action, management will now begin the process of accelerating capital investment and implementing other resources and input of managerial expertise in what he termed “This large green fields operation” over the foreseeable future, adding: “This is a very bold and enterprising venture in the wake of the world economic meltdown.”
He assured that despite the closure of the plant, the corporation will continue to fulfill its “Corporate Social Responsibilities” to the people of Liberia, and called on the Government of Liberia, members of the Margibi County Legislative Caucus and county administration, as well as the General Agriculture and Allied Workers Union and the local communities at large to remain steadfast as management embarks on these austerity measures to help revive the company.
