MONROVIA – Former Indian Honorary Consul General to Liberia Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva has committed to the provision of 200 bags of rice and 50 bags of beans for inmates at the Monrovia Central Prison (MCP) as part of efforts to curb the growing wave of hunger at the facility.
By Obediah Johnson
The MCP is the biggest and most congested prison facility in Liberia.
Currently, more than 1300 inmates are reprimanded at the facility.
It can be recalled that some time ago, the Minister of Justice disclosed that inmates at the MCP were eating “dry rice” due to the huge financial constraints confronting the Monrovia Central Prison.
His assertions were made when he appeared for public hearing on the draft national budget for 2023 that is before the National Legislature.
Speaking when he donated sumptuous hot cooked meal with cake, soft drink and water to the inmates on February 11, Mr. Sachdeva disclosed that he will this Tuesday, February 14, present about 200 bags of rice and 50 bags of beans for the inmates.
The distribution of the hot cooked meal to the inmates is a normal routine of the Indian businessman.
“We have come here again with hot nourished meal for the inmates of the Monrovia Central Prison. As I have always said, don’t give to get, but give to inspire others. I came with rice, beans with chicken, soft drink and water.”
He observed that inmates being reprimanded cannot go outside to fetch for themselves, and as such, those who are in a position to help, should do so and expect nothing in return.
Mr. Sachdeva said the donation of rice and beans to the prison will also be extended to other prison compounds across the country.
“Today, I on behalf of Indian Business Chamber which I am the founding chairman, we will in the next one or two days provide 200 bags of rice and 50 bags of rice to the Monrovia Central Prison so they can serve other prisons across the country for them to have nourished meal for sometimes.”
“This is the way of the Indian Business Chamber to identify themselves with the people of Liberia.”
For his part, the Superintendent of the Monrovia Central Prison Varney Lake commended “Jeety” for always coming to the aid of inmates not only at the MCP, but other prison facilities across the country.
He said authorities of the prison remain grateful and delighted over the contribution of the Indian Chamber to combat hunger at the prison.
He observed that the huge challenges confronting inmates at the facility cannot be addressed by the government alone.
Mr. Lake maintained that the proper handling of donations and gestures from “Jeety” and others continues to serve as a stepping stone for them to always make donations and interventions at the facility.
He used the occasion to commend members of the Liberian media for also consistently flagging the constraints the prison sector in Liberia is faced with.
“As you are all aware, there are lots of challenges that we are faced with and government cannot do it all.”
