Techiman(BAR), Nov. 28, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday visited New Techiman and Tanoso in Techiman Municipality to console bereaved families of the fire disaster that occurred at Asiayem and New Techiman on Techiman-Kumasi road last Wednesday. He made a stop over at the scene on his way to Tamale and paid courtesy call on Nana Agyemang Badu, Chief of New Techiman and Nana Kweku Kwarteng, Chief of Tanoso.

President Kufuor presented assorted drinks and GHC 5,000 to each of the chiefs for the funeral celebrations of the victims. About 27 people have so far died in the disaster which occurred when a petrol tanker was involved in an accident and exploded when some of the residents attempted to siphon fuel from the tanker. Several others received severe injuries and are on admission at hospitals in Techiman, Sunyani and Accra.

President Kufuor said the nation was saddened by the disaster and advised people, especially parents to restrain their children from venturing to accident scenes to avoid recurrence of the disaster. He cautioned the people to be cautious when crossing the road being one of busiest roads in the country.

Nana Agyemang Badu expressed appreciation to President Kufuor for sympathising with the bereaved families.

At Tanoso, Nana Kweku Kwarteng, expressed appreciation to the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council and Techiman Municipal Assembly for their support in the mass burial of the deceased. However, he appealed to the assembly to pay the medical bills of those who received injuries.

Mr Patrick Fordjour Dankwah, Assemblyman for Tanoso said 27 people died, 10 were from Tanoso and 17 from New Techiman. President Kufuor later called on Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw 1V, Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area and appealed to stakeholders in the region to ensure the contractor working on the Techiman-Kumasi road performed creditably to prevent road accidents.

He announced that government would pay the medical bills of the 68 victims on admission at the various hospitals in the country. Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw expressed appreciation to President Kufuor for the kind gesture and sympathising with the bereaved families. He said a five-member committee had been established to investigate the disaster and identify bereaved families to be assisted. Barely a month ago, 22 mourners also perished in a motor accident at Twimea Nkwanta in the municipality.