Totota, Bong County — Victims of Totota tanker blast have benefitted from a cash donation of US$ 1,000 from Mr. Amara Kamara, Director & Senior in Country Advisor of WestCrest Liberia Ltd as support towards the response to the deadly explosion that occurred in the city.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
WestCreast Ltd is a mineral exploration and development company owned by West26 PTE Ltd of Singapore.
The amount was donated by Mr. Kamara to the district’s lawmaker, Moima Briggs-Mensah. Mr. Kamara said the company’s gesture resonates with its mission, which is promotion of wellbeing and development.
Mr. Kamara explained that the amount was the company’s way of contributing to the ongoing national response to the disaster which occurred on December 26, when a loaded fuel tanker veered off the road before bursting into flames, leading to one of the worst explosions ever in the country.
Nearly 60 people have died in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Dozens others who were caught in the fire sustained severe injuries, some eventually dying in hospital.
Most of the victims were young people, mainly commercial motor bike riders. Many of them were from Totota, which is situated in close proximity to the scene of the disaster.
Mr. Kamara recognized others’ support to the victims and said his company’s gesture Tuesday, January 2, 2024 is meant to be complementary to those efforts.
“We know that many of the victims were citizens of Totota. And many of them died and left their families behind. This support is to help such families. Some were wounded. Even though they were lucky to be alive, they may be finding it difficult to move on with life due to their injuries and losses in livelihoods,” Mr. Kamara said.
“This will not solve their problems, but it is to show that we also care about them,” he added.
In remarks, Rep. Briggs-Mensah showered praises on Mr. Kamara and his company for their gesture, praying for them for remembering to support their needy fellow Liberians. The District Six lawmaker also prayed for Liberians to continue promoting unity and oneness in the interest of the development of the country.