Jeety Rubber, SRC Address Water Crisis at Gbarnga Central Prison  – As SUPT. Gbolomen SIAKOR lauds companies for ‘timely intervention.’

MONROVIA – Jeety Rubber and its subsidiary, Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC), have completed repairs on a damaged hand pump at the Gbarnga Central Prison and announced plans to drill deeper wells to ensure a constant water supply for inmates and staff.

In a statement issued Friday, the companies noted that repair work could only be completed on one hand pump instead of the planned three, as assessments revealed the depth of the pump wells to be too short. The statement also cited the same issue for the deep bore well.

“The water crisis at the prison is not just the result of damaged hand pumps and bore equipment, but also the short length of the wells, which makes reaching the water table during the dry season difficult,” the companies said in a joint statement.

In a communication to the companies’ CEO and founder, Mr. Upjit Sachdeva, Gbarnga Prison Superintendent Gbolomen SIAKOR expressed gratitude for Jeety Rubber and SRC’s timely response during what she described as a “terrible situation.”

“We the Management of Gbarnga Central Prison, along with all the inmates in our custody, extend our deepest thanks and appreciation for your kind and serving humanity gesture towards our water crisis issue,” Supt. SIAKOR wrote. “Your [companies’] kind gesture to the disadvantaged side of the society is a sign of greatness and service for the human race.”

Supt. SIAKOR added that she hopes the intervention by Jeety Rubber and SRC will be the beginning of a long-term humanitarian working relationship, noting that the Gbarnga prison remains “open to receive your assistance anytime is needed.”

The intervention by Jeety Rubber and SRC comes after FrontPage Africa reported Wednesday, Feb. 15, on a severe water shortage at the Gbarnga Central Prison. According to the newspaper, the prison has been struggling with water issues since Dec. 1, 2024, forcing inmates and guards to rely on inconsistent supplies that hardly come by. The report indicated that the water crisis had forced the prison authority to fetch water into the community.

The companies added they will extend the depths of the two remaining hand pump wells and the deep bore well to reach adequate water levels year-round. The drilling operations are expected to begin next week, with completion targeted within the coming months.

“We are committed to ensuring that the prison has reliable access to clean water year-round,” the companies’ statement added. “Our team is already mobilizing equipment to begin drilling operations.”

Meanwhile, prison officials have welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that the solution would permanently resolve the water shortage that has plagued the facility.

The Gbarnga Central Prison houses several hundred inmates in Bong County, making it one of the most populated prisons in Liberia.