General News of Monday, 6 December 2010

Source: GNA

Goods destroyed in Makola fire outbreak is about GH¢25 million

Accra, Dec. 6, GNA - The five-member committee set up to investigate=

the fire outbreak at Makola Number Two market, on Monday presented its report to Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister. Police Superintendent (Sup) Frank Adufati, Chairman of the committee= , presenting the report, said 650 people were affected and goods estimated at GH¢25 million cedis were destroyed.

He said 920 shops, stalls and other facilities including chop bars w= ere affected. Sup Adufati said that frequent power outages in the area, negligence= in the use of electrical equipments and use of wrong cables in wiring the pl= ace were some of the causes of fire outbreaks in the vicinity. The committee recommended that fire brigades be formed at all market= s and the personnel trained by the Ghana National Fire Service to prevent a= ny future occurrence.

In addition, there should be intensified educational programmes at t= he markets periodically and traders should insure their goods against fire. Nii Ashietey receiving the report, thanked the committee for the wor= k done and said government would study the document and implement the recommendations.

Other members of the committee from the Greater Accra Regional Secur= ity Council included Mr Daniel Welbeck, Mrs Winfred N. Tesia, Mr J.A. Tufuor and Mr Edwin Blackson.

The fire outbreak occurred on Thursday, November 18.