A Pathway To Enhanced Public Safety
PHOTO: The Author
By Austin S Fallah: A Concerned Son of the Soil
The issue of public safety, specifically concerning fire and carbon monoxide hazards, is of paramount importance in every society. Undoubtedly, Liberia is no exception.
As such, government intervention in the form of legislation to mandate the use of smoke and carbon dioxide detectors in both public and private settings is necessary.
This korero argues the urgency and potential benefits of such a policy, focusing on the protection of lives and properties, and proposes a public safety tax levied on the purchase of these safety materials to support the operations of the Liberia National Fire Service (LNS).
My argument is that a life lost in a preventable incident is a tragedy too great to bear.
Smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are proven safety measures widely recommended for early fire and carbon dioxide detection.
Their introduction and widespread use in a developing nation like Liberia could potentially result in a substantial reduction in fire-related incidences and fatalities.
Therefore, enforcing their use by law should be considered a priority if we aim to ensure personal and public safety.
Most public and private buildings in Liberia currently lack these early warning systems, which have been proven effective in saving lives and properties.
Mandating their use is not just about regulations, but it is about the government adequately equipping its citizens to protect themselves against unforeseen disasters.
The arguments against such a mandate often involve the issue of affordability for the average Liberian.
To tackle this, the government can take certain measures to ensure that these detectors are affordably priced and widely available in the consumer marketplace across the country.
Subsidies, partnerships with manufacturers, and tax breaks for companies that could locally produce or import such devices could be ways to achieve this.
Furthermore, a public safety tax could be levied on the purchase of these safety apparatuses.
Though this might seem counterproductive, if transparently implemented, these funds could be channeled toward equipping the Liberia National Fire Service (LNS) with the necessary tools for combating fire and other disasters.
This double-edged approach not only equips individuals with preventive measures but also empowers our firefighters, enhancing the overall safety of our society.
While some critics might argue that the burden of a new tax would be too much for the average Liberian to bear, it is noteworthy to remember that the cost of not investing in such safety measures is undeniably higher.
The loss of life and property to a fire that could have been avoided or minimized by these devices is far more substantial.
Also, it is not beyond reason to design this tax progressively by taking into account the financial capabilities or the net worth of each purchasing party.
This way, those who can afford it would be aiding in the provision of safety equipment for those who can not.
Stringent policies like the mandated use of smoke and carbon dioxide detectors in Liberia are more than necessary; they form an integral part of any meaningful drive toward ensuring public safety.
While affordability and distribution may pose a challenge, these can be addressed by the government through strategic partnerships, subsidies, and a carefully implemented public safety tax.
At the end of the day, the preservation of lives and properties, and the well-being of our people, should be our most significant concern.
Therefore, while we appreciate the resource constraint faced by the government, it is a worthy investment that will guarantee a safer environment for Liberians and pay off in the long run in terms of less loss of life and property.