The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Jennie K. Fallah
18 March 2008
The United Nations Mission in Liberia has awarded a cash amount of US$50.00 each to four young Liberians who saved the life of a drowning local UNMIL staff, Janet Burnett.
Presenting the awards at a special ceremony held during the mission's weekly press briefing last Friday, the Special Representative to the Secretary General, Ellen Loj, commended the four boys for performing such an outstanding humanitarian service and a very good example for everybody in Liberia.
She described the four life savers ; Nimely Walker, John Richard, Foday Massalay, and Rahan Roberts as shining examples of the new generation of young Liberians caring for each other.
The UNMIL boss said the boys took a very bold step in risking their own lives in order to save another Liberian's life." That was very brave of you and I am very proud of you; I must confess," she added.
She said this is a clear manifestation that Liberians are ready to move forward. SRSG Loj noted that there is a need for all Liberians to show love and care for each other in order to move Liberia forward in peace, security and prosperity.
The UNMIL boss then warned all Liberians and visitors in the country that it is not only fun to swim but one has to be very careful and attentive when they go swimming in the ocean. She also assured the life savers that their action will go down in the history of the UN missions here in Liberia and called on all Liberians to emulate the positive step towards each other.
Speaking to the life savers after the awards ceremony, they said though the amount wasn't much yet they expressed their thanks and appreciation to UNMIL for the token and noted that "no one can pay for life". Speaking to one of the boys (life saver) before the ceremony on his expectation of the award, he said "as for me I don't even want money; if they give me job I will be very happy"
They narrated that at the time they dived in the water to save the person who was drowning, they did not have the time to consider who the dying person was. "Whether it was a man or woman or a Liberian or a foreigner, we just went to save a life," they said.
It can be recalled that on February 27 about 5 p.m., four young Liberians risked their lives to save a drowning Liberian who happened to be an UNMIL National staff identified as one Janet Burnett.
In a related development, UNMIL has clarified and confirmed recent reports of the arrival of a container of arms into the country.
Making the clarification during the weekly press briefing last Friday, the Chief of UNMIL Police Information, George Somerwill, said about a week ago, a container loaded with weapons arrived in the country and noted that the arms are completely legal and that both the government of Liberia and UNMIL are aware of the arrival.
Speaking further, Mr. Somerwill said last year, a request was made to the Security Council of the United Nations for weapons to be provided for the Special Security Service of Liberia. He noted that the weapons were legally obtained and were shipped to the country.
Mr. Somerwill admitted that from the outset of the arrival of the container of arms, there was a little bit of confusion because nobody was sure of what was in the container but when the container was later examined, every thing in it was exactly correct as was submitted to the UN Security Council. He said the weapons are now in storage and they are being protected by UNMIL soldiers.
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