By Alhaji Turay
Sierra Leone and China continue to enjoy a long-standing Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership built on diplomatic ties, economic investment and mutual political support, with bilateral trade reaching $2.3 billion in recent years.
However, an investigative report from Lunsar, Port Loko District has raised serious concerns about alleged substandard goods in that trade chain.
Community stakeholders and management of Changlong Steel Company Sierra Leone Limited, a transport and logistics company operating in Lunsar engaged in hauling bauxite, rutile and other raw materials, have accused a Chinese supplier of supplying defective tyres, leading to over one year and six months of operational shutdown.
The premises of Changlong Steel Company Sierra Leone Limited in Lunsar where 15 heavy-duty trucks have been parked for over 18 months.
According to documents and sources from Changlong Steel Company Sierra Leone Limited, the company contacted Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd, based at No.1 Street, Qiantang District, Hangzhou City, China, for the supply of 270 pieces of heavy-duty truck tyres.
The cost per tyre was agreed at $360. Changlong Steel Company Sierra Leone Limited paid a total of $97,200 for 270 tyres through UBA Bank to Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd. The transaction was facilitated by the company manager, Mr. Charles Bio. With RECEIPT / PROFORMA INVOICE from Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd]
Caption: The receipt/invoice issued by Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd, Hangzhou, China for the supply of 270 heavy-duty truck tyres at a total cost of $97,200, as provided by Changlong Steel Company Sierra Leone Limited.
Sources told this medium that after installing 200 out of the 270 tyres and using them for only a few weeks, the company discovered the tyres were allegedly defective and substandard.
Two of the 15 heavy-duty trucks reportedly somersaulted and went beyond repair due to alleged tyre failure. Scores of the alleged defective tyres supplied by Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd packed inside Changlong Steel Company compound, seen by this medium on Friday 25th September 2026 in Lunsar.
Some of the 15 heavy-duty trucks parked and out of operation for over one year and six months due to alleged defective tyre failure. When this medium visited the company site on Friday, 25th September 2026, scores of alleged defective tyres were seen packed in the company compound.
Speaking to this medium, a company representative, Mr. Yang Ruling, said several complaints were made to Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd in China without any concrete solution.
The Chinese company later sent two representatives, Mr. Jia Qibin and Mr. Zhou Rong, to Sierra Leone to inspect the tyres. According to sources, the two men allegedly attempted to leave the country without resolving the issue but were intercepted around Gbalamuya, at the Sierra Leone-Guinea border by Immigration officers. They are currently at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) helping with police investigations.
Mr. Jia Qibin and Mr. Zhou Rong, representatives of Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd, currently helping police with investigations at CID in Freetown.
According to Changlong Steel Company Sierra Leone Limited, the alleged substandard tyres have caused huge financial losses: – 60 drivers for 15 trucks, 4 drivers per truck. Each driver NLe 8,500 per month. Monthly total: NLe 510,000. – For 18 months non-operation: NLe 9,180,000 on idle drivers. – Cost of 270 tyres: $97,200. – Two damaged trucks: $75,000 each, total $150,000. – Cost of 15 trucks at $73,710 each: $1,105,650.
Changlong Steel Company Sierra Leone Limited is calling on Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd to refund the $97,200 used to purchase the alleged defective tyres and pay compensation for all damages incurred, failing which the matter will be charged to court.
The company is also calling on the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, to intervene to protect local investors and ensure standards in importation of industrial equipment.
All efforts to get the side of Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd proved futile. This medium will continue to follow the police investigation at the CID.
