The Member of Parliament for Subin constituency in the Ashanti Region, Kofi Obiri Yeboah, has called on government to as a matter of urgency provide support to the Ghanaian traders whose wares have been affected by last Friday’s fire outbreak in Adum, Kumasi. He was troubled by the seeming neglect in enforcement of standards and safety measures in the various markets across the country. “The architecture of these market areas leaves much to be desired”, he said adding that as lawmakers they have a responsibility to “push for stricter laws, improve on urban planning, and enhance market architecture” to prevent future occurrences.
The MP, who visited the scene of the disaster to ascertain the extent of damage recounted how properties and goods estimated at millions of Ghana Cedis have been lost creating despair for many families. According to him, his interactions with affected traders and eyewitnesses revealed that the fire was triggered by erratic power supply but the Ghana National Fire Service managed to contain the situation despite its logistical constraints.
“Mr. Speaker, the growing trend of fire outbreaks in our major markets in recent years has become quite alarming. From Makola to Kantamanto, Asafo to Kejetia, and now Adum. Such disasters continue to deprive many people of their livelihoods and cost the nation billions of Cedis.”, He noted
The fire which ravaged several shops in the Adum Business District on Friday, March 21 was brought under control by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service after several hours. Mr. Obiri Yeboah however recommended that government must make effort to retool the Fire Service with advanced firefighting equipment including drones and helicopters in order that it can carryout its duties effectively. He also urged government to introduce policies that help the informal sector to access insurance packages. Meanwhile, he has indicated his intention to set up an endowment fund to support victims of the fire.
The statement has been referred to a joint committee comprising the Defence and Interior, and Local Government and Rural Development Committees to consider the proposals raised by the MP as well as comments of other MPs. A report is due by the first week of the second meeting in May.