By: Wilmot Konah
Bong: Several citizens of Totota City, the home of the December 26, 2023 devastating tanker explosion disaster under the banner “Grievance and Victims’ Welfare Committee” have reiterate calls for accountability into funds raised by the “Local Disaster Management Committee” headed by Mr. Tornola Varpilah.
The “Grievance and Victims’ Welfare Committee” stated that despite their quest for Accountability through a comprehensive report from Mr. Varpilah and his team, their efforts seems not to be of importance mentioning their advocacy has spanned approximately one year without adherence.
According to Alieu K. Konneh, spokesperson of the group, the Local Disaster Management Committee in the early days of the disaster vowed to give a weekly comprehensive report of donations made to them for those affected by the tanker fire something he said did not materialized. “Our attention is to the resources that were raised before our eyes here in Totota.
They told us in March 2024 during a meeting that they raised 15Million Liberian Dollars but they did not explain to us how the money was used and that is not a detailed report” Alieu asserted.
He furthered that the report was flimsy highlighting the need for a detailed and comprehensive report. Alieu also lamented that despite the huge donations made for the victims’ wellbeing, much has not been done to provide medication and better livelihoods for those affected by the explosion.
He stated that many of the fire survivors whom were discharged from hospitals are being left vulnerable without undergoing advanced medications and many are often seen begging for daily meals on the street despite their conditions.
“We are not seeing the impact of the funds that came here. Some of those guys who did not died from the fire are still around here. They need advanced treatment. Their conditions are very bad. Most of them are just in Totota here begging for food despite the fire wounds on their bodies” Alieu disclosed.
One of those who survived the gas tanker fire but need further medication is Titus Feamah. Titus averred that their medications and survivability have been downplayed. He recounted Doctor’s advice during his dischargement from hospital as “you people will need further medical examination and advanced treatment”.
Titus expressed sadness and dismay over the alleged refusal of the Local Disaster Management Committee to give account of funds that were received on their behalf.
He also highlighted the lack of support to the children of those who died in the fire calamity as one of his serious disappointments in the disaster management committee.
Meanwhile, Hon. Clinton L. Brown, the former Mayor of Totota City and a member of the Grievance Committee whose son died in the blaze, revealed that they will result to filing a lawsuit against the Local Disaster Management Committee if their quest for accountability are not listened to.
He narrated that they have for too long craved for accountability and it has been proving fruitless. “We are getting tired with this advocacy. Our final decision will be to seek a redress from the Court. We will file a lawsuit if Mr. Tornola Varpilah do not give us a detailed report” he stated.
Hon. Brown then claimed that the institution of the Local Disaster Management Committee was politically done as only Unity Party members were recruited. He pointed out that as a sitting mayor at the time, he was being left out of every strategic planning meeting on grounds that he did not support the Unity Party which had just won the 2023 Presidential Election.
He also claimed that the Hon. Moima Briggs Mensah, the District Representative of Bong County Electoral District Six have been shielding the Local Disaster Management Committee citing many of the guys on the committee are her confidants.
However, during a dialogue meeting organized by Representative Mensah with victims in July of 2024, she vowed to ensure justice is serve for the victims by joining their quest for accountability something according to Clinton have not been materialized.
Clinton also called on Civil Society Organizations, The Government of Liberia, The Media and Good Will individuals to join them in craving for accountability for the fire victims’ funds.
It can be recalled that on December 26, 2023, a nine thousand gallons’ gas tanker belonging to “God’s Willing Inc.” exploded in Totota leaving to death of several citizens and fatally injuring many. At the beginning of the catastrophe, several donations were made by government officials, Local and International NGOs, The World Bank amongst others.
This News Outlet has exerted efforts to speak with officials of the Local Disaster Management Committee but all efforts exerted have proven futile. We are open to clarity.
