As tear-wells still flow in Montserrado County’s district #4’s citizens’ eyes after a fatal fire disaster on Wednesday, which claimed five persons’ lives, several legislators of the House of Representatives have made financial alms to the fire victims.
The humanitarian call, which was initiated by the district’s Representative, Atty. Michael M. Thomas, to his colleagues to aid fire disaster victims, received the green light of US$1,000 cash in donation. Speaker Fonati Koffa pledged an additional US$2,000, to be given today in session.
“So, from the members of the 55th Legislature, who raise their interest after I contacted them, we were able to raise the amount of US$1,000, that is including me,” Representative Thomas said when he did the first presentation on Saturday to the fire victims.
The fundraising contribution for the fire victims, according to the Representative, started with a small amount but gradually increased and reached US$1,000. He said that the 55th Legislature’s membership should have been part of the donation, but they went to probe China Union’s conduct.
“As Representative of the district, I networked with my colleagues, including the Speaker. So we all supposed to be here today to make some contribution, but we have major engagement with China Union, and most of my colleagues went Bong Mine, where China Union operates,” Representative Thomas said. “We have small contribution, some gave US$20, 50, 75, 100, and US$200 dollars, and the total came out to a thousand dollars.”
However, while the US$1,000 had been raised by some members of the 55th Legislature, Representative Thomas said that he took the list to Speaker Koffa and he pledged US$2,000, to be given on Tuesday.
“And then also I took the list to the Speaker and said, ‘This is where we are, and I am here for your contribution.’ And he was magnanimous enough to say to me, ‘We should top this (amount) up by US$2,000 dollars,’” Representative Thomas said. “So, he pledged US$2,000, making the total of US$3,000 dollars.”
Earlier, the property owner, Dokolea, said though her house burnt to ashes, she is in a dreadful mood for the tenants who lost their belongings, especially those who lost their lives in the fire accident. In this manner, she gave US$170–US$100 for the bereaved family and US$70 for the other victims. She said that the donation is she and her children’s way of expressing sympathy to all the victims.
As second Wednesday in March 2024 will be Decoration Day for the dead, Representative Thomas reminded the fire victims that some portion of the US$3,000 will be used for tomb construction on the graves, then they can decide how to use the residue of the money.
“When the Speaker give the US$2,000 on Tuesday in session, I will hand deliver it to you people on Wednesday morning. The estimation for the tomb construction is here, you people should look for an engineer to do the work,” Representative said.