NLA donates L$500,000 and other items to families of crusade victims

The Management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) has donated L$500,000 plus 20 bags of 25kg rice and soaps, among other items, to family members of both survivors and those that died at a crusade last month in New Kru Town.

At least 31 people, including children, women and men, died when a stampede occurred in New Kru Town, District #16, Montserrado County after a Church crusade was invaded by criminals or drug abusers commonly known here as zogoes.

Speaking during the donation in New Kru Town during the weekend, NLA’s Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Mohammed Saylee Kamara said it’s the social responsibility of the authority to provide assistance to victims’ families during times of national emergencies and disasters.

“On behalf of the National Lottery Authority, I want to extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, relatives and friends of the victims of January 19, 2022, Church Crusade Stampede,” Mr. Kamara stated.

According to him, as the nation goes through the time of bereavement, NLA encourages all the victims’ family members to take solace and courage.

For his part, Mr. Reginald Kpan Nagbe, Director General of the National Lottery Authority narrated that Section 12 (g) of the NLA Law says there should be reserved within the fund of the Authority that the President may make requests in time of emergencies.

Mr. Nagbe explained that the day President George Manneh Weah visited the Redemption Hospital after the stampede, he made a request for the NLA to intervene in the situation.

“Hon. Dixon Seboe, Representative of District #16, Montserrado County, on behalf of the NLA and Government of Liberia, we want to present this check of L$500.000, rice and other items,” he said.

“They represent our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of people who lost their lives and those who got injured during the Church crusade stampede,” Nagbe noted.

Also making remarks, Dixon Seboe, Representative of District #16, Montserrado County said the kind gesture from the Management of the National Lottery Authority will be used purposefully.

He said when someone is bereaved, those who knock at their doors in time of bereavement will be remembered for a long time.

Seboe disclosed that his office has been intervening from day one of the incidents, noting that people and institutions are making donations every day.

Rep. Seboe concluded that names of people who were injured are increasing daily and there are plans by the national government to underwrite their medical bills.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/crusade-death-toll-hits-31/