— To counter alarming fire incident
The Mayor of Ganta, Mr. Samuel Hardt had launched a fire truck project to counter the alarming fire incident in Ganta and its environs.
The project, which is code-named ‘$1 rally’, aims to raise money to purchase the truck to be fully stationed in Ganta to respond to any fire incident.
In his remark, Mayor Samuel Hardt said, ‘Our beloved city and its citizens have endured repeated fire disasters in recent months, with a huge loss of both lives and properties.”
“The fire incidents have always occurred before the very eyes of the community dwellers and, most tragically, the victims themselves with nothing to do,” he said.
He explained that for every time there is a fire outbreak, the citizens stand helpless, lacking the necessary resources and tools to combat these fire outbreaks.
“This situation underscores the urgent need for us to take proactive steps to prevent and prepare for such conditions to avoid further loss in the future,” he said.
“One Dollar Campaign’ as an initiative to support the City Cooperation and people of Ganta in purchasing a fire service truck dedicated to Gompa City,” Mayor Hardt explained. “This truck will provide our city with a much-needed local and timely response in times of any fire emergencies.
“Alongside this, I have been engaging the Liberia National Fire Service Nimba Detachment to strengthen fire safety education, aiming to help our citizens understand fire prevention and response,” he said.
Mayor Hardt however urged denizens to also be prepared for emergencies that happen unexpectedly, whether naturally or accidentally.
“I want to express my deep appreciation to our esteemed business mogul, a man I see as my father, Mr. Tomah Seh Floyd, Sr., who took the initiative to bring the first and only Nimba-owned fire truck through the Jungle Water Group of Investment,” the Mayor said. “However, this truck, stationed in Sanniquellie, cannot adequately serve the entire county, especially when critical response time is needed.”
Weeks ago, a tragic fire occurred in Pearson Community in Ganta, gutting out an eight-bedroom apartment. And before the only fire truck in Nimba arrived from Sanniquellie, the house was already totally destroyed, prompting anger among the residents.
Meanwhile, Mayor Samuel Hardt has named Businessman Pharaz Dekpah to chair the ‘Dollar Rally’ campaign and ensure that the truck is procured.
“Our ‘$1 Rally’ is chaired by Mr. Pharez Dekpah, CEO of DekTa Loan Incorporated, with Mr. Nuwoe-James Kiamue, President of the Liberia International Christian College serving as a co-chair, Prince Haward will be the treasurer while Mrs. Margaret Carson will lead publicity committee,” he said.
The launch of the ‘$1 Rally’ is likely to bring relief to the citizens of Ganta and its environs, because of the devastating fire that had caused in the commercially busiest city, which claimed several lives, including minors.
In July, Mr. Floyd Tomah donated a fire truck to Nimba as his own way of responding to the public cries for fire trucks in Nimba.
The fire truck was dedicated in October after being certified by the Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service, where at the dedication ceremony the Director of Fire Service urged Liberians to come to aid of the entity to be reburst everywhere in the country.
He said fire fighting is everybody’s fight and promised that if the citizens build their fire station or purchase their own truck the LNFRS will ensure professional backup.
I call upon all residents of Ganta and Nimba, both home and abroad, to join us in making this project a reality through small contributions and by spreading the word to others who may assist.
“I want to emphasize that this effort is not for personal recognition or political gain, rather it is a mission to save lives,” he said.
“We cannot simply rely on the central government for everything because the government bears numerous challenges, especially in this time of budgetary constraints,” he concluded.
