-Stage major protest in Monrovia
On Friday, April 19, 2024, the Progressive Student Alliance Party (PROSA) and prominent lawmakers spearheaded a peaceful protest in Monrovia, in a bid to compel the government to take decisive action to address the ongoing fire crisis plaguing Liberia.
Liberians have been left in a worrisome state over the last few months, considering the recent wave of fire incidents across the country and its demeaning consequences. This has made many believe that the West African nation is possibly experiencing a fire crisis and there’s a crucial need for swift remedy.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Yekeh Kolubah of District 10 Montserrado County, Frank Saah Foko of District 9 Montserrado County, and Eugine J.M Kollie of District 5 Bong County, were part of the hundreds of aggrieved protesters who marched through central Monrovia, culminating their rally at the American Embassy and the United Nations Headquarters to draw international attention to the situation.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, they made a plea for authorities to prioritize the safety and security of Liberian citizens. Urgency marked their demands, as they stressed the critical need to stem the tide of destruction sweeping across the nation, imperiling countless lives.
A spokesperson for PROSA expressed the group’s determination, stating, “We refuse to watch our nation engulfed in flames without a fight. The government must intervene swiftly to control these blazes before they ravage our communities completely.”
Known for his unwavering stance on social issues, Rep. Yekeh Kolubah reiterated the call for immediate and effective action, asserting, “Liberia’s people deserve more than mere rhetoric. We demand tangible steps, not hollow assurances.”
From his end, Montserradi County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko echoed these sentiments, urging authorities to deploy adequate resources and personnel to combat the crisis. “Every minute of inaction brings us closer to a catastrophe,” he cautioned.
Furthermore, Representative Eugine J.M Kollie appealed to international entities for assistance during this challenging period, stating, “Liberia welcomes support from our global allies as we confront this unprecedented crisis together.”
Amid the awkward wave of fire disasters across Liberia, P. Edwin Tisdell, the Deputy Director for Operations of the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) recently informed Liberians that the institution is faced with logistical constraints, as it only has two fire trucks in the entire country.
Tisdell made the disclosure when he appeared on a local radio station early Monday, April 15, 2024, in Monrovia. The LNFS Deputy Director for Operations revealed: “Currently we have just two trucks. The two trucks, one day one is down the other day another one is down so I can just say we only use one truck because the two trucks are not really active and functional so we need to be serious and understand that the Liberia National Fire Service LNFS) is seriously challenged.”
The evening hours of Sunday, April 14, 2024, were undoubtedly awkward for the Speaker of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, as a result of an unexpected fire that broke out at his residential home in Paynesville, which led to its destruction. Eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed that the fire started shortly after the return of power by the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) to the facility.
Despite the swift response by firefighters from the Liberia National Fire Service, who arrived at the scene within thirty minutes of the fire starting, the blaze quickly escalated, engulfing the entire compound. Tragically, no casualties have been reported thus far, but the extent of the damage to the Speaker’s residence is substantial. Reports indicate that the firefighters faced challenges in combating the flames due to a shortage of water supply.
