Monrovia – Two brown caskets covered with blue and white quilt bearing the remains of Melvin Tucker, 12, Jackson Kordah, 9, were taken to the New Life African Glory Pentecostal Church in Gbargbor Town, ELWA which is just a few minutes walk from where they were hit and killed for their final tribute.
Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo/ [email protected]
“We are happy they are to be buried today [Saturday], but look around, only the Police officers are here; what happened to the Ministry of Justice, Vice President and others?
Is it only when the President is attending that’s when they attend programs?
For me, I am disappointed but thank God the Police came to witness their home going; but this eye-servant thing must stop,” Sarah Paygar, sympathizer said.
The lads were killed through an accident involving the pilot vehicle of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s motorcade on November 30, 2016. The funeral was dominated by students, most of whom were school mates of the deceased.
To the dismay of the bereaved families, only the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, Col. Gregory Coleman, his deputy, Col. Prince Mulbah and some officers of the Liberia National Police attended the funeral.
Giving his tribute, Col. Coleman described the incident the saddest that has occurred under his watch, adding that he shared the pains of the families over their loss.
“Her Excellency sent her regards and sympathy. The devil always come after our hope, love, faith and I come saying there is no word I can say to comfort you but ‘na ma ya’ meaning sorry,” he said.
“We are happy they are to be buried today [last Saturday], but look around, only the Police officers are here; what happened to the Ministry of Justice, Vice President and others?
Is it only when the President is attending that’s when they attend programs?
For me, I am disappointed but thank God the Police came to witness their home going; but this eye-servant thing must stop,” Sarah Paygar, sympathizer said while paying tribute.
The funeral discourse was under the theme: “The dead in Christ shall rise again”. The text was taken from 1 Thessalonian 4:13-18.
Delivering the sermon, Bishop Peter Darvin pleaded with the family to take solace in the Lord, adding that though it was a difficult time for the families.
“These children were innocent children who were killed by car accident and I can tell you family that the dead in Christ shall rise again, so take solace because God knows the reason,” Bishop Darvin.
He further added that “God is not dead and he will take care of you, be not dismay, God gives and He takes; let Him be your strength in this tough time.”
Speaking at the funeral, the spokesman for both families clarified though they were poor families, they never went to the extent of sending their children to sell in the streets.
He also disclosed that the mother of Kordah recently died and was pitiful that the Kordah was following his mother.
“Even though we are poor but our poverty is not to the point where we sell the lives our children. The only thing we wanted as a family was to allow our children rest in peace,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the government, in sympathy with the families, gave L$270,000 to enable them have a repast after the internment.
The Police, through the court, committed to the Monrovia Central Prison, Tunis Follah, driver of the convoy’s lead vehicle that killed the children.
Tunis acknowledged his error and said he shared the pain of the bereaved family.
He told reporters while being escorted to prison a week ago that he wished to could something to please the family.
President Sirleaf has expressed deep sadness and regret over the accidental death of two Liberian children.
The convoy had earlier taken President Sirleaf to the Roberts International Airport for departure to Ghana and was returning when the accident occurred.
Upon hearing of the unfortunate incident upon her arrival from Ghana, President Sirleaf immediately spoke with the guardian of the children and assured that upon her return she will publicly share the grief of the family by visiting them.
She will also take strong additional measures to avoid any reoccurrence, the Executive Mansion said.