The conglomeration of five (5) prominent prodemocracy groups in Liberia, under the banner, “Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia (COCSOL)”, has described as false, misleading and a provoking misinformation allegation that the CEO of Jetty Trading Corporation, Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, brought in 100 Indians to Liberia, which has led to the increase in covid-19 cases in the country.
“It is being alleged that business tycoon, Dr. Sachdeva, who is also the former Indian Honorary Counsel General To Liberia recently transported 100 Indians to Liberia amid the surge in the cases of the COVID-19 virus in India,” the Civil Society Coalition stated in a press release.
But speaking to pressman following investigation, the Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia, Roosevelt Giko, stated, “Our investigative research conducted on the operation of Jetty Trading Corporation indicates that the company has neither transported nor hired any expatriate from India in the last 5 months. We view such allegation as a complete made-up story, falsehood and one intended to bring the character of Dr. Sachdeva into public disrepute. This is a dangerous blackmailing plan by some evil hecklers and detractors, who are bent on placing a dent on the reputation and extract from his humanitarian gestures towards needy Liberians since the outbreak of the Corona Virus. It is further ill-fated and unfortunate for unscrupulous individuals to manufacture malicious lies and falsehoods against Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, who has managed the well-known Jetty Trading Corporation in Liberia for years to the benefit of many struggling Liberians.”
The pro-democracy conglomerate then recounted Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva and his Jetty Trading Corporation’s contributions towards the growth and development of Liberia, as well as the fight against the COVID-19 virus. They termed as disingenuous and unfair for any Liberian to make such allegations against a distinguished businessman, who is immensely contributing to the revitalization of Liberia’s struggling economy, through the regular payment of taxes to the Government of Liberia (GOL), creation of job opportunities for scores of Liberians, and provision of daily food for thousands of disadvantaged Liberians. COCSOL also stated: “It is ludicrous or laughable to accuse Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva of bringing in Indians to Liberia to spread the COVID-19 in the country when he is providing food and other essential items for inmates at the Monrovia Central Prison; distributing food to disadvantaged Liberians or ‘zogos’ at various ghettos and other corporate social responsibility. Rather than scheming fabrications against Dr. Sachdeva, who have given much back to the Liberian society. We urge Liberians to commend him and his company for the donations of several oxygen and other medical supplies to the COVID-19 Medical Center at Star Base.”
In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia urged all Liberians not to give credence to the purported allegation that Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva brought Indians to Liberia to spread COVID-19 in the country. They rendered the allegation as unsubstantiated, and called on Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva not to be distracted by it, but remain focused on contributing towards the Liberian economy and the provision of his humanitarian services to Liberia.