20 Feb 2023
Posted by OK FM 99.5 
Loading ...
By: Joseph F. Daniels – jfdaniels95@gmail.com
Victims Families hold Press Conference
Immediate Family members of the NIKO IVANKA Shipwreck victims have complained of living in extreme conditions as children of some of the victims struggle for daily survival while others are out of school.
In July of 2021 Eight Workers of the West African Examination Council were among those killed when the ship sank off the coast of Marshall in Margibi County while travelling to administer tests in Maryland County.
Following an investigation, the Liberian Senate ordered the National Port Authority and Liberia Maritime Authority to pay US$20,000 in compensation to each of the families of those who died on the sunken Niko Ivanka Vessel.
The spokesman of the families of the victim Jelson Keamah told OK FM that they are yet to receive a dime from the Government since the pronouncement was made by the honorable body almost two years ago.
Mr. Keamah said the families are disappointed in the Government especially the Senate for failing to ensure due benefits are given to families of those Liberians who died while serving their country.
“Children of some of those victims are currently out of school while others go hungry on a daily basis due to lack of financial means” the family spokesman explained.
The Liberian Senate Director of Communication Alfred Johnson acknowledged the disappointment of the families but assured that the honorable body will place the money in this year’s budget since the executive has failed to act on its order.
“The Senate is not an enforcement body. We issue the order and execute carry out the enforcement but they have since refused so the senate will place it in the budget.”
The Families spokesman believes that the US$20,000 in compensation will help ease some of the hurdles the families are currently enduring.
The Senate, in its investigation report, which was released in November, 2021, established that NPA, whose statutory mandate it is to manage the FreePort of Monrovia and all Sea Ports of the republic, was derelict and negligent in the performance of its duties and responsibilities by allowing the vessel to routinely sail with passengers even though it is licensed as only a cargo-carrying vessel.
