By Tokpa Tarnue, tarene82@gmail.com
Over 80 inmates at the Voinjama Central Prison have benefitted from the distribution of non-food items.
The non-food items, which include tie soap, bath soap and tooth paste were all made available by Lofa County District # 3 Representative Clarence Kortu Massaquoi in continuation of his birthday celebrations.
Speaking during the presentation of the items on behalf of representative Massaquoi at the Voinjama Central Prison Compound, Mr. John Salay disclosed that the gesture from Hon. Massaquoi is to buttress government’s efforts in ensuring that the inmates are kept healthy at all times.
Voinjama Central Prison in Lofa County
According to Mr. Salay, Rep. Clarence Kortu Massaquoi, the items donated are to be divided amongst the 80 inmates by the prison authorities.
Receiving the items, Deputy Prison Superintendent Moses Saah thanked representative Massaquoi for the gesture describing it as very timely.
The facility was built to accommodate 40-45 inmates, but it is currently hosting a total of 88 inmates, something Mr. Saah noted it was a serious challenged for the prison.
According to the Voinjama Prison’s Deputy Superintendent, the non-food items from Hon. Massaquoi where hardly commendable considering the importance of health promotion amongst inmates at the facility.
Mr. Moses however used the occasion to call on central government and her partners for the establishment of what he called vocational training programs at the voinjama central prison.
Such training program will help in rehabilitating inmates to once again fit into their various communities after serving their individual sentences at the prison, the Deputy prison Superintendent in Voinjama said.
At the same time, the Lofa county district #3 Lawmaker has also identified with eight (8) Old Folks at the Kenneth Roberts Old folks Home in Voinjama city.
The Kenneth Roberts Old folks Home which was established by Missionary Roberts in the 1980s is being run by the Voinjama Free Pentecostal Church.
Making the presentation of three mattresses, three 25kg begs of rice, one carton of mixed toiletries and a sup kind of $5,000 Liberian Dollars, on behalf of representative Massaquoi, Mr. John Salay disclosed that the items were also part of the observance of Hon. Massaquoi’s natal Day.
He said Hon. Massaquoi acknowledges the efforts of members of the Kenneth Roberts Old folks Home in praying for the county and the country at large.
Receiving the items, an elder of the Church, Andrew Cole praised the district #3 law maker for the donation and called on government especially at the level of the county to provide regular support to the Kenneth Roberts Old folks Home in the county.
Elder Cole said the Old Folks at the Kenneth Roberts Old Folks Home were doing well for their subsequent prayers they continue to carry on for Lofa and also the country and as such they too needed some support from central government.
Elder Cole has meanwhile used the occasion to call on prominent and well meaning Lofians and as well as philanthropist organizations to help provide more support to the Kenneth Roberts Old Folks Home in Voinjama.