One More Vessel on the Verge of Wrecking (“TOFLO”)?
They call it “Toflo.”
I don’t know what the word, “Toflo” means.
But one thing I know for sure is that “Toflo” is the name of a vessel which is about the size of a Fanti boat in Harper City.
They call it “Toflo.”
I don’t know what the word, “Toflo” means.
But one thing I know for sure is that “Toflo” is the name of a vessel which is about the size of a Fanti boat in Harper City.
Well, I know this much because I am still in Harper City, Maryland County “grounding” with the folks.
Today, if you ask any businesswoman in Maryland County (Liberia) about “Toflo”, she will absolutely tell you it is a “blessing” to her.
Why?
Because most, if not all, of the large vessels transporting Maryland businesswomen goods and services to Maryland by way of the Atlantic Ocean have wrecked. The pieces of these wrecked vessels now rest in the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. “Toflo” is the substitute. It is the only “hope” for the businesswomen of Maryland. “Toflo” picks up their goods from Buchanan, Grand Bassa County seaport and drop them off on the port of Harper.
Unlike previous wrecked vessels, “Toflo” does not carry many passengers. And that is because it is very small. But, like you and I know (I‘m talking about the average Liberian person), in today’s Liberia, everyone is “hustling” and “busting.” That means he or she is doing everything in his or her might to make a living. And so, every now and then, “Toflo” throws few passengers on board. AND THIS IS DARN WRONG!
You know it!
I KNOW IT!
And “Toflo’s” management knows this!
But, what the heck? “Only the brave and the strong survive” in this part of the world. So can you then blame “Toflo” in the absence of a Coast Guard Service?
If “Toflo” should wreck anytime during its operational period as it seems is pending, there’s no doubt in my mind that someone will have to get injured or die. Unfortunately, the victims will be mostly women. And their goods will submerge in the belly of the Atlantic Ocean once more. Either way, it is not good news for Maryland County and its people.
Now here’s “Toflo’s” story:
This morning…well, it is Wednesday morning. And it’s December 1, 2010; I wake up; I’m about to go to my regular work routine; a young man enters my residence; he wears a serious face; I notice something is wrong. But I’m not sure. He goes in the corner; He calls someone in the corner and begins to tell the person that “Toflo” is on the verge of sinking if nothing is done. The news slips out to me quickly. Because I am the Chairman for the Shipwreck Victims Action Committee in Maryland.
Next thing I come to know, the news breakout in the City. People are saying that another vessel is about to wreck in the waters of Maryland again. So Joint Security is running up and down trying to get fishermen and their boats for a rescue mission. The entire City, like it was on the fatal day of May 31, 2010, is completely nervous.
Today, if you ask any businesswoman in Maryland County (Liberia) about “Toflo”, she will absolutely tell you it is a “blessing” to her.
Why?
Because most, if not all, of the large vessels transporting Maryland businesswomen goods and services to Maryland by way of the Atlantic Ocean have wrecked. The pieces of these wrecked vessels now rest in the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. “Toflo” is the substitute. It is the only “hope” for the businesswomen of Maryland. “Toflo” picks up their goods from Buchanan, Grand Bassa County seaport and drop them off on the port of Harper.
Unlike previous wrecked vessels, “Toflo” does not carry many passengers. And that is because it is very small. But, like you and I know (I‘m talking about the average Liberian person), in today’s Liberia, everyone is “hustling” and “busting.” That means he or she is doing everything in his or her might to make a living. And so, every now and then, “Toflo” throws few passengers on board. AND THIS IS DARN WRONG!
You know it!
I KNOW IT!
And “Toflo’s” management knows this!
But, what the heck? “Only the brave and the strong survive” in this part of the world. So can you then blame “Toflo” in the absence of a Coast Guard Service?
If “Toflo” should wreck anytime during its operational period as it seems is pending, there’s no doubt in my mind that someone will have to get injured or die. Unfortunately, the victims will be mostly women. And their goods will submerge in the belly of the Atlantic Ocean once more. Either way, it is not good news for Maryland County and its people.
Now here’s “Toflo’s” story:
This morning…well, it is Wednesday morning. And it’s December 1, 2010; I wake up; I’m about to go to my regular work routine; a young man enters my residence; he wears a serious face; I notice something is wrong. But I’m not sure. He goes in the corner; He calls someone in the corner and begins to tell the person that “Toflo” is on the verge of sinking if nothing is done. The news slips out to me quickly. Because I am the Chairman for the Shipwreck Victims Action Committee in Maryland.
Next thing I come to know, the news breakout in the City. People are saying that another vessel is about to wreck in the waters of Maryland again. So Joint Security is running up and down trying to get fishermen and their boats for a rescue mission. The entire City, like it was on the fatal day of May 31, 2010, is completely nervous.
Everyone runs in different directions for help and rescue. I go Downtown. While Downtown I hear businesswomen like they did on each shipwreck occasion - wailing. For them, this will not be the first time; it will not be the second time; it will not be the third time, it will not be the fourth time. This will be the fifth time when Maryland County businesswomen lost their goods and lives in shipwrecks with no degree of reparation for their losses from shipowners and National government. This time, the question they are asking now is what can they do or where can they run? I wish I have the answer to their questions.
The news around town is that “Toflo” the last remaining vessel and the last “hope” for Maryland County businesswomen is on the verge of wrecking.
I am told the Vessel engines blew out. And that the Crew has no more control over the Vessel. The Vessel is at the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean waves. From what I am told by some members of Joint Security present in Harper City, the Vessel is being pushed around by the waves. And if nothing is done, I am told, “Toflo” might sink into the belly of the Atlantic Ocean. And truly that would raise a huge cry form the throats of tens and tens of thousands of women throughout the County.
Evidently, life in Maryland will begin to deteriorate again.
The news around town is that “Toflo” the last remaining vessel and the last “hope” for Maryland County businesswomen is on the verge of wrecking.
I am told the Vessel engines blew out. And that the Crew has no more control over the Vessel. The Vessel is at the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean waves. From what I am told by some members of Joint Security present in Harper City, the Vessel is being pushed around by the waves. And if nothing is done, I am told, “Toflo” might sink into the belly of the Atlantic Ocean. And truly that would raise a huge cry form the throats of tens and tens of thousands of women throughout the County.
Evidently, life in Maryland will begin to deteriorate again.
Before this pending shipwreck, rice (the staple food of Liberia) is at a price of $53 (US). Gas is scarce! If you are lucky, you’ll find a gallon. But that will cost you your “arm-leg-and-kidney.” That means you’ll pay a little less than $11 (US) per gallon. You add the rest of the other commodities prices, and you’ll see how life is unlivable in Maryland County.
If you add the Road situation, you will be talking about living in “hell.”
The Road from Ganta to Harper is cut. I mean the Road is split. One vehicle brings you from Monrovia; it stops you at the break-off point; and another vehicle picks you up from the other side of the break-off point and it finally takes you to Maryland. By the time you get to Maryland, it is about one week travel-time. Upon arrival in Maryland, you will realize you have spent $100 (US). FLAT! Mind you, this is a driving distance that used to take a little more than twelve hours. The travel fare used to be $10. Now it takes weeks to get to Maryland from Monrovia and vice versus. The cost is $100 (US). That means you can tongue-whip the chauffeur. Otherwise, you’ll pay more! This is “Dog-eat-dog” situation!
Here’s the other part:
If anyone manages to get some goods to Maryland by way of the rotten Road, the goods will be marked, “damaged goods.” Keep in the mind this description will done mentally. It will not be written on the goods. Considering the deplorable economic situation in Maryland, there’s nothing you can call “damaged goods.”
Why?
Because there’s no goods in the County on the shelves of the shops. And so any goods that get there in any shape becomes a "blessing" for those who can afford the cost. The business person with the “damaged goods” sells them at his or her own price.
Mind you, this is a Free Enterprise System. And what this means is that Government has “Less” or “nothing” to do with price. Raise your price if you want to. It is your buyers that will send you the message if they will buy your goods. If no one buys your goods, you are out of business. And so you can figure that out and adjust your price.
The goods that is mentally marked as “damaged goods” will be sold in the market at a price astronomically high. And this is because (at least that’s what the business people tell me) they have to compensate for losses on the Road.
Here’s the saddest thing:
Those who can afford to buy the “damaged goods” will have to buy them. And those who cannot afford to buy the “damaged goods” will have to perish. It is just that simple and cruel! But that’s how it is on the "ground."
From 2004 to May 31, 2010, many of the vessels coming and/or leaving Maryland waters by way of the Atlantic Ocean wrecked. Many of the dead are Marylanders including women, men and children. Several efforts made by The Shipwreck Victims Action Committee of Maryland and others for reparation hasn’t capture the attention of the Liberian national government. The Government seems to play deaf ears to the plight of the women of Maryland. All the women's businesses have been shutdown. Efforts to turn things around by the women after their many losses to make a better situation out of a worse one, result always into another shipwreck.
President Sirleaf promised few times to travel to Maryland to console and repair the damages of the wailing women. But she hasn’t made the first trip since May, 2010. Reparation has become a fairytale for the victims, most of whom are women.
The Issue of shipwreck is very serious in Maryland County (Liberia).
If you add the Road situation, you will be talking about living in “hell.”
The Road from Ganta to Harper is cut. I mean the Road is split. One vehicle brings you from Monrovia; it stops you at the break-off point; and another vehicle picks you up from the other side of the break-off point and it finally takes you to Maryland. By the time you get to Maryland, it is about one week travel-time. Upon arrival in Maryland, you will realize you have spent $100 (US). FLAT! Mind you, this is a driving distance that used to take a little more than twelve hours. The travel fare used to be $10. Now it takes weeks to get to Maryland from Monrovia and vice versus. The cost is $100 (US). That means you can tongue-whip the chauffeur. Otherwise, you’ll pay more! This is “Dog-eat-dog” situation!
Here’s the other part:
If anyone manages to get some goods to Maryland by way of the rotten Road, the goods will be marked, “damaged goods.” Keep in the mind this description will done mentally. It will not be written on the goods. Considering the deplorable economic situation in Maryland, there’s nothing you can call “damaged goods.”
Why?
Because there’s no goods in the County on the shelves of the shops. And so any goods that get there in any shape becomes a "blessing" for those who can afford the cost. The business person with the “damaged goods” sells them at his or her own price.
Mind you, this is a Free Enterprise System. And what this means is that Government has “Less” or “nothing” to do with price. Raise your price if you want to. It is your buyers that will send you the message if they will buy your goods. If no one buys your goods, you are out of business. And so you can figure that out and adjust your price.
The goods that is mentally marked as “damaged goods” will be sold in the market at a price astronomically high. And this is because (at least that’s what the business people tell me) they have to compensate for losses on the Road.
Here’s the saddest thing:
Those who can afford to buy the “damaged goods” will have to buy them. And those who cannot afford to buy the “damaged goods” will have to perish. It is just that simple and cruel! But that’s how it is on the "ground."
From 2004 to May 31, 2010, many of the vessels coming and/or leaving Maryland waters by way of the Atlantic Ocean wrecked. Many of the dead are Marylanders including women, men and children. Several efforts made by The Shipwreck Victims Action Committee of Maryland and others for reparation hasn’t capture the attention of the Liberian national government. The Government seems to play deaf ears to the plight of the women of Maryland. All the women's businesses have been shutdown. Efforts to turn things around by the women after their many losses to make a better situation out of a worse one, result always into another shipwreck.
President Sirleaf promised few times to travel to Maryland to console and repair the damages of the wailing women. But she hasn’t made the first trip since May, 2010. Reparation has become a fairytale for the victims, most of whom are women.
The Issue of shipwreck is very serious in Maryland County (Liberia).
Last May was the most recent wreck. If “Toflo” wrecks as it seems to be unfolding, many Marylanders will die. And their goods will continue to sit in the belly of the Atlantic Ocean without any reparation from their Government. Good thing is that it is isn't "TOFLO" that was on the verge of wrecking. It was another boat. TOFLO helped to rescue the boat.
All in all, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf extended condolences to families of the latest shipwreck victims (May 31, 2010) and set up a committee to probe all other recent ship catastrophes in Maryland County.
The committee, according to the President's mandate, is expected to submit its report at the end of June.
Today’s date is December 1, 2010. Six months later, there’s no report to the nation by the President's Committee..
Why?
Don’t ask me! Ask the President!
I am Thomas G. Bedell; I speak and work from on the ground in Liberia
All in all, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf extended condolences to families of the latest shipwreck victims (May 31, 2010) and set up a committee to probe all other recent ship catastrophes in Maryland County.
The committee, according to the President's mandate, is expected to submit its report at the end of June.
Today’s date is December 1, 2010. Six months later, there’s no report to the nation by the President's Committee..
Why?
Don’t ask me! Ask the President!
I am Thomas G. Bedell; I speak and work from on the ground in Liberia
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