June 3 disaster: 15 survivors cry for compensation

Fifteen survivors of the dreadful June 3 flood and fire disaster are still crying for their compensatory package 16 months after the incident.

According to them, they have submitted their details to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) as required but yet to be compensated.

On June 3, 2015, a devastating calamity hit the National Capital, Accra, Kwame Nkrumah Circle to be specific, where a twin disaster of flood and fire drowned and charred to death 152 Ghanaians.

“That is 152 human lives; 152 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children—152 Ghanaian citizens,” President John Mahama said during a memorial service in honour of the souls lost.

The President also announced an amount of Ghc50 million to cover relief and humanitarian operations, repair of damaged public infrastructure, and desilting and clearing of waterways.

As a result 108 families which were affected by the June 3 mayhem received compensation from government, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije divulged during a memorial service on June 3, 2016 to commemorate the incident.

“We are a people who care and recognizing and noticing that members of our families were affected, we put into action a plan to identify our dead brothers and sisters,” he said adding that the remaining families will also be compensated immediately their identity is verified.

However, the fifteen survivors who spoke with Starr News’ Daniel Lartey stated that they haven't received a penny after the incident.

According to them, several attempts to get their compensation from the AMA has proved futile as they have been abandoned by both the government and AMA.