I am still in Harper. I came ahead
of President Sirleaf. I wanted to help make her visit a memorable one. Together
with others wed did! I also wanted the Shipwreck Victims that I advocate for to
meet with the President to discuss possible restitution to damages they
incurred during several shipwrecks. The President left after she completed our
work. But remain behind. And I’m still here. Each time I make a move to return
to Monrovia, something new happens and it captures my mind. So I have to stick
around to help in the best way I can. First it’s the case of ritualistic
killing. There were arbitrary arrests. So I joined other social justice
advocates and Human Rights organizations and groups to put a halt to the
arbitrary arrests. Because arbitrary arrests on a jujuman “mojo” violates our
Constitution which is our Supreme Law. The Case is dragging on. So I plan to
leave. Then comes the aggrieved workers' case of The Tubman University. I’m
asked to contact and negotiate with the University. So I speak with Dr.
Collins. He doesn’t work with the University anymore. But he plays a key role
in this matter. Then I speak with Dr. Dioh. He’s now a significant part of the
Staff. From what he tells me, I have to speak with Dr. Russell, President of
the University. So my next step is to see President Russell. Then another ship
wrecks few yards off the port of Harper. See, I’m advocating for shipwreck
victims. So, this recent wreck captures my attention. I have to stick around
again to help the situation. Because the vessel wrecks right off the port of
Harper and several citizens left in the water, the case becomes critical then
the rest. If what I hear is correct, the vessel wrecked few hundred yards away
from the port of Harper. Just like the second wreck that took place almost the
same distance from town; chaos fill the City. Now I am pissed. Because this is
not the first wreck. It is not the second wreck. It is not the third wreck. It
is not the fourth shipwreck. It is not the fifth wreck. It is not the sixth
wreck. It is the seventh wreck. And 90% of the passengers are Marylanders. In
the name of the mother of God, I ask myself what the heck is going on here. Is
Maryland cursed or is she suffering from bad leadership or the lack thereof?
Whatever the answer may be, too many of our women and mothers are suffering and
dying. Each time a vessel wrecks, there is a great loss. And the victims are
mostly women. This time the loss is greatest – besides the investments, the
leader of all Maryland County Women died in the wreck. She was on her way back
from Monrovia to get a loan for the women. She also went to shop for goods to
sell. Because like all others, that’s her source of income and her
responsibility to the women group. The vessel (MV Havea) arrived in Harper. But
it harbored few hundred yards from the Port. And then it began to go side-way
taking in water on deck. Soon, it nosedived. Next thing we know, it goes deep
into the belly of the Ocean. And there’s where it sits today.
It was on Tuesday, June 1. I was
asleep. At 10pm a young man knocked on my door. I opened the door. Then he
asked me if I knew what was going on in the City. I said, “No!” Then he started
to explain. He said the vessel had arrived in Harper. But cell phone calls were
coming in. There’s a young man we used to call “Wicked” Joe. Now this
generation calls him “J5.” He’s married to a lady. I know this lady from way
back. A very beautiful lady. Her name was Ayo Cole. She became Clara Nyema when
she got married. She was the daughter of Mr. Achala (my spelling) Cole. Mr.
Cole used to live on Marsh Street near the Glebo Church (Ascension Day). Clara
is now dead in the Tuesday, June 1 shipwreck (that is if the information
we are receiving is correct). Clara was a big-time businesswoman. In fact, she
was the chair of all the Maryland County Women. She was very energetic and
hardworking. I know this because I worked with her more than twice on community
projects. Bishop Dalieh has high regards for this lady. Because Clara, Bishop
and I worked together.
During the wreck, I’m told Clara
called her husband and told him the vessel was sinking. At that time, I’m told
the vessel was leaning sideway. The next time she called, all they could hear
from her was, “Oh, Lord, we are dying!” And she kept crying out loud for help
until her voice disappeared from the cell phone. Every call that was made back
to her cell phone in response to her many SOS calls delivered a busy or no
tone. Something was evident. But nobody wanted to say it. Because hope was
still alive! From 10pm up to 10am, there was no answer from her phone again.
Whatever the case must have been, the husband got terrified. By morning hours,
some boats engaged the waters. Some headed towards Fishtown and others towards
Ivory Coast. The ones that returned brought no good news.
By 11am, I joined others to the
Ivory Coast by way of the Border towns. We got to a certain Border town in
Ivory Coast. From that town, news circulated of a possible rescue mission. When
we got there, the news was correct. We picked up seventeen passengers according
to my conservative record. All of those we picked up, besides two, the rest
were looking good and in good spirit. From what I observed, two were in pain.
And they showed it. There is a lady with severe burns. She said it occurred
from a gas container that she floated on. The other young man had a three inch
metal broken in his ankle. He kept crying. The Medical Doctor at the J. J.
Dossen Hospital was there. So those that were rescued were taken to the J. J.
Dossen Hospital for treatment. It rain so hard we could not continue the
search. In fact, we could not continue anymore because it was getting darker by
the minute. And the Authority in Ivory Coast would not allow us in their
country after 6pm at which time the Border closes for operation. So we left the
town and returned to Harper.
I am very impressed with the Joint
Security except the Immigration. The Maryland County Police Chief, Vat Williams
was measured up to the task. A young man graduated high school with me in 1980.
He’s now in the National Security Force. His name is Wea Natt. He too was
great and sharp in his performances. The former Superintendent of Maryland, G.
WahMle Elliott, was at his best. He paved the way for us to enter the Ivory
Coast. Diplomacy and bureaucracy was tight. But he broke through! Acting
Superintendent, Hon. Regina Sampson, kept her administrative eyes working. I
saw her at the Border. Everything was working well on her watch! I am very
proud of the emergency leadership and camaraderie that I saw when we got to
Ivory Coast! I wish this will continue!
I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer,
I write, work and speak from the “ground” in Liberia!
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