By Grace Q. Bryant
Speaker J. Fonati Koffa disclosed that he has invited international fire experts to aid the Liberia National Fire Service in investigating the cause of the fire that got him and his family homeless late Sunday evening.
Speaking at a news conference yesterday, at the Capitol Building, the Speaker said, the international fire experts’ role is to assist the Liberia National Fire Service to put the entire situation to rest.
Speaker Koffa stressed that over the past times, he had been receiving threats from unknown individuals but he had not been able to share with anyone due to some security reasons.
The Liberian Speaker said disaster is not only limited to the less fortunate but also to people who have the financial capacity adding, “If my house can burn to this level, what more about the people who are living in the slums?”
“Over the past few months, many Liberians have also experienced fire disasters that have resulted in tragic losses. Fortunately, none of my family members were harmed and I am grateful for that. However, this incident serves as a reminder that these tragedies can happen to anyone, and until we address the issues in our society that lead to them, we cannot truly protect ourselves,” he expressed.
According to him, when the fire started, he and his family were instructed by his security to leave and they immediately left the house and decided to seek refuge at the home of former President George Weah in the Rehab community in Paynesville.
Speaker Koffa said issues of fire disaster is a national emergency which need to be addressed by national leaders and the time is now when the Legislature is conducting budget hearing of the 2023 &2024 draft national budget to make the needed resources to help in solving these problem.
He disclosed that when the fire began, there was a call placed to the LNFS but it took close to two hours to get them at the resident and when the team came there was no water in the truck noting, “But it was due to the help of Representative Musa Bility’s private fire company that came and provided some help and the people of Rehab Community that helped us in get the fire off,” he noted.
He narrated that when the incident occur, President Joseph Boakai and other family members as well as colleagues from House of Representatives placed calls and also made their way at the home of former President Weah where he is seeking refuge in the meantime.
“I was touched by the more than 37 lawmakers who showed up to offer their support in person. Many of my family and friends also came to the scene to help while the fire was still raging,” he maintained, stating that the increasing fire incidents are one of the major concerns that require immediate attention.
“We would like to assure you that we are safe, but we are temporarily homeless. If you have any nice accommodation options, we would appreciate it,” he stressed.
He also used the time appreciate the former President and his family for allowing them in their home and even providing over three suitcases of clothes to him and his family for the meantime.
