President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday promised to render financial assistance to the relatives of the 10 victims of the Linden highway accident.
Jagdeo made this offer to the group when he met with them at the Office of the President, a Government Information Agency press release said. The president said the assistance will be given to all the families, especially those who have children who lost a parent/s in the accident. In response some of the relatives said they were very grateful for the assistance while some were still very grief-stricken and could not speak.
A telethon organised by the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Women’s Affairs Committee, a Linden-based non-governmental organisation, on Friday night netted about $1.3M in pledges from the public for the families.
NCN Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Sattaur on Monday said that the organisers plan to air the telethon on the radio and television countrywide with a closing date set for November 4.
Additionally, a committee comprising Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, Sattaur and the relatives of the deceased is to be established to determine how the money will be disbursed.
Meanwhile, a bank account will be opened at Republic Bank so that persons who wish to make financial contributions can be facilitated.
The accident, one of the worst recorded for the year, occurred last Wednesday evening when a minibus collided with a truck laden with timber at Amelia’s Ward.
