Unchecked Illegal Tapping, Paper Says, May Force Plantation Action

(Akron/Tire Review) The Liberian Times has reported that Bridgestone Americas Holding’s Firestone Plantation Co. in Liberia has threatened to close down its activities in the country if the Liberian government does not help control illegal tapping at the facility.

According to the paper, outsiders have been “on a rampage” over the last several months, illegally tapping natural rubber trees on Firestone Plantation grounds. Allegedly, this illegal activity has also resulted in the deaths of five Plantation contractors and injuries to dozens of company employees.

The Times reported that a company spokesman told a Monrovian radio station that unless the Liberian government addresses the security problems at the facility, the company would have to consider closing down.