Harbel, Margibi County, August 8, 2025: Firestone Liberia has reacted to a current assertion made by Mr. Dominic Nimely, Chairman of the Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia (PATEL), accusing the corporate of not including worth to its pure rubber right here however fairly exporting it to different African nations for processing, leading to job losses for Liberians.
At a press convention on Monday, August 4, 2025, whereas applauding President Joseph Boakai for his issuance of Government Order # 151 barring the export of uncooked rubber in a foreign country, Mr. Nimely was quoted as saying “it is vitally unhappy that Firestone has been in Liberia for years however isn’t including worth to the uncooked rubber grown within the nation; as a substitute, they’re delivery it to different African nations for manufacturing and processing, thereby leaving Liberian jobs and the economic system unhealthy.”
However in a press assertion issued on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Firestone Liberia mentioned, “These statements are each false and deceptive. Firestone Liberia stays firmly dedicated to including worth regionally.”
“All of the pure rubber produced by Firestone Liberia is processed in Liberia into Technically Specified Rubber (TSR); it’s not exported for processing. This aligns with the goals of President Joseph Boakai’s Government Order No. 151, which exempts the export of processed merchandise resembling Technically Specified Rubber (TSR) and restricts the export of unprocessed rubber.
Past our operations, Firestone Liberia performs a vital function in supporting Liberia’s rubber business, significantly its smallholder farmers,” the corporate defined.
It mentioned between 2021 and 2024, Firestone Liberia engaged instantly with practically 6,000 smallholder farmers, buying greater than 60 million kilos of pure rubber, offering them with an earnings exceeding US$30 million to maintain their livelihood and develop their companies.
“As Liberia’s largest personal employer—with greater than 4,000 workers—Firestone Liberia is pleased with its ongoing partnership with the folks and Authorities of Liberia and is devoted to the sustainable growth of pure rubber,” Firestone Liberia concluded.
