Harbel, Margibi County – Firestone Liberia has announced that the company will continue the temporary halt on the purchase of rubber in early second quarter, contrary to its promise to resume in April.
In February,
Firestone put a halt to the purchase of rubber from local farmers due to what
it said the maintenance of the factory for the month of March, the temporary
closure of certain company divisions for wintering, the annual/seasonal decline
in rubber production activities by farmers, and the oversupply of rubber
currently on hand.
The company
then promised to resume rubber purchase activities during early second quarter,
which is the beginning of April, this year.
However, as the
second quarter approaches, the company said it would not resume purchase,
citing the same conditions including a new one – the coronavirus pandemic that
is ravaging the world and disrupting global trade.
“Firestone
Liberia has made the difficult but necessary decision to not resume rubber
purchase operations in early 2nd quarter as previously announced,” the company
said in the statement released by its Communication Officer, Patrick Honnah.
“The decision
was made after considering several unavoidable factors related to ongoing
factory maintenance, the company’s existing supply of rubber, and the current
impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
The company
said it will continue to monitor the developing COVID-19 situation, while
strictly observing all Government of Liberia’s mandated protocols.
It further said that the safety and security of its employees and partner smallholder farmers is paramount, and will continue to plan for ways to safely conduct this critical part of its business at the appropriate time.
As the
situation continues to develop, Firestone Liberia noted that it will remain in
close communication with local rubber farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture
on the company’s next steps to resume rubber purchase activities.
It also added
that during these unprecedented and uncertain times, the company remains
focused on partnering with the Ministry of Health and other Government of
Liberia leaders to do its part in helping lessen the impact of COVID-19 in
Liberia.
“Our most important priority at this time is to safeguard the well-being of our employees and their dependents while working to also ensure the sustainability of our operation,” the company said in the statement.
Meanwhile, the
company’s decision is a big blow to the thousands of local farmers who depends
on the company to sell their rubber for their livelihood.
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