Firestone, Margibi County ~ The leadership of the Harbel Credit Union (HARCU), headed by its Chairman Emmanuel Kolleh, has embarked on a community-wide assessment tour, engaging with members across key divisions where the credit union operates.
The initiative kicked off on Sunday, October 6, 2025, with a visit to Division #3 ~ an area heavily populated by Firestone employees, many of whom are also members of HARCU.
According to Chairman Kolleh, the purpose of the tour is to “hear directly from our members, understand the challenges they are facing, and build a stronger, more responsive union together.”
Emmanuel Kolleh, HARCU Chairman said “This visit is meant to listen to the concerns our members face when trying to join or stay with the union. We want to understand their realities and take action based on what we learn.”
During the meeting, HARCU members did not hold back in expressing both appreciation and dissatisfaction. While many welcomed the leadership’s decision to come to them, they also used the opportunity to voice critical issues they say have hindered their full participation in the union.
Some cited limited access to loans, slow processing times, and a lack of regular engagement with union representatives. Others expressed optimism that the visit marks the beginning of improved relations and services.
“We thank the leadership of HARCU for coming down here to hear us out,” said one worker. “It’s the first time we feel truly involved in the union’s affairs.”
The feedback session was described as “honest” and “productive,” with several members stating that it gave them a platform to share both their “happiness and bitterness” about the union’s performance so far.
Harbel Credit Union is a saving arm of employees of Firestone Liberia.
HARCU’s leadership is expected to continue the tour across other divisions in the coming weeks, as part of its renewed push to strengthen member engagement and improve service delivery.
