By Korboi K. Gbelewala Lofa County Correspondent
VOINJAMA, April 5 (LINA) – The Association of Local Chiefs and Elders in Voinjama District, Lofa County has expressed serious concern about the continuous rainstorm disasters in Lofa County.
Mr. Ernest Bozzi, head of the Voinjama District Town Chiefs and Elders Association, said the continuous disasters caused by violent rainstorms that result to deaths and rendering dozens of people homeless due to the damage of homes, is grievous and should not be taken for granted.
Mr. Bozzi asserted that the attention of the Voinjama District Town Chiefs Association has been drawn to the recent violent rainstorm disaster in Lawalazu Town that left over 60 houses damaged and dozens of people homeless.
According to the LINA Correspondent, in less than a week, several towns, including Lawalazu, Barkedou and Bazzagizia have been seriously affected by violent rainstorms, leaving several dead and dozens of people homeless with thousands of dollar worth of property and materials damaged in the county.
According to unconfirmed reports, a violent rainstorm on Thursday evening, March 31, 2022 also damaged several homes, leaving several people homeless in Bazzagizia Town in lower Workor Chiefdom, Wobomai Clan in Voinjama District.
Although there is no confirmed report about damages caused so far, it is reported that another dozen people were on Thursday made homeless in Bazzagizia Town.
Mr. Bozzi expressed sympathy to victims of the recent violent rainstorm disasters in the county, and called for urgent attention and assistance to victims, because most of them are desperately in need of shelter, food and clothing, as all of their belongings were damaged, while other victims are currently sleeping in the open.
In an exclusive interview with the Liberia News Agency (LINA) on Friday, April 1, in Lawalazu Town in upper Workor Chiefdom, Voinjama District, Mr. Bozzi attributed the violent rainstorms to deforestation and unauthorized pit sawing, as well as charcoal burning in several towns and villages.
He noted these activities are not healthy for the environment and need government’s urgent intervention through both local and other relevant authorities in the county.
He disclosed that an estimated 100 town chiefs and elders in Voinjama District have unanimously agreed not to allow pit sawing around their towns and villages.
Mr. Bazzi further indicated that an estimated 99 percent of damage of homes as well as deaths is caused by violent rainstorm disasters occasioned by deforestation that continues to overwhelmingly deplete forests around towns and villages in Lofa County.
He disclosed that the Voinjama District Town Chiefs Association has put in place measures to limit unauthorized pit sawing and charcoal burning in towns and villages across the District.
