By Precious D. Freeman
The Progressive Students Alliance (PROSA) from the University of Liberia is calling on the Ministry of Education (MOE), to declare a national holiday of mourning over their compatriots who lost their lives on the Niko Iyanka ship on July 17, 2021 while en route to the Southeast.
Addressing a press conference over the weekend, the organization’s Chairman, Heylove W. Mark explained that this sad event involving staff from the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC), foreign nationals and six other passengers is a heart-breaking moment and irreplaceable loss to the educational sector.
Expressing their dissatisfaction, he mentioned that the national government should ensure the disbursement of whatever benefits required to give those fallen compatriots who died while on state function a decent burial and investigate persons responsible for the tragic loss.
Speaking on other issues, PROSA is warning the government and the Management of the Jeety Trading Cooperation to find better economic alternatives and sustainable economic opportunities for disadvantaged youths instead of reducing them to stand on line for cooked food as a normal routine.
Mr. Mark added that it is the prerogative of any serious government to take responsibility in providing basic socio-economic services for its entire citizen likewise the Jeety Trading Cooperation, and not making them look like beggars.
He added that Jeety and the government should desist from treating disadvantaged youths of Liberia as slaves and as third class humans, adding that they have all financial abilities to build sustainable rehabilitation centers for them.
Meanwhile, PROSA is informing the general public of a one-day symbolic bonfire that will be held on the main campus of the University of Liberia (UL) on the 31st of August, 2021 beginning at 7P.M.
According to him, the one-day symbolic bonfire will serve as a way of paying homage to their struggles and sacrifices towards the advancement of the state and its people.