Some June 3 dead bodies yet to be claimed -Mayor disclosed at one year anniversary
The Mayor of Accra, Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, has disclosed that there are still bodies from the June 3 disaster that needed to be identified and claimed by their families.
Speaking at the commemoration of the first anniversary of the disaster, the mayor appealed to families to muster the courage to come forward to identify and claim the mortal remains of their loved ones.
Last year, an explosion at the Goil Filling Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, caused by torrential rains led to the loss of lives of over 150 Ghanaians. The incidents also exposed the weakness of Accra's infrastructure which has failed to keep pace with population growth after years of rapid economic expansion.
The emotion-packed occasion was graced by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the Mayor of Accra, Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Nii Armah Ashitey, officials of the various security agencies, loved ones of the deceased as well as well-wishers of the survivors. The entire place which was filled with chanting of the names of some of the deceased by friends and loved ones, created a sad atmosphere for all.
In a speech read on behalf of the President, the Mayor said the government in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly have put measures in place to ensure that such a devastating incident never repeats itself. He added that, in view of the fact that such incident occurred as a result of choked gutters and drenches, the Assembly has embarked on a project which ensures the de-silting of both the Korle lagoon and the Odo river 24 hours each day, which has so far reached 45% of the total work that needs to be done and generating about 420,000 metric tonnes of filth.
The Mayor noted that as part of the measures put in place to forestall similar occurrences, there have been constant cleaning exercises undertaken all over the city as the total estimated refuse generation is about 3000 tonnes daily. “With the constant de-silting, clean ups and various renovations ongoing [on] i am certain such an incident would never repeat itself again,” he added. He said about sixty families have so far received entitlements from the government worth about GH10,000 cedis per family.
Also the medical expenses of about 15 people have been fully footed by the government. The solemn but colourful occasion saw a contingent from the Ghana Police Service processing from the church to the Goil filling station for the laying of wreath by the dignitaries and bereaved families.
However, a critical look at the disaster scene and it surrounding area shows that much has not changed as pedestrians and hawkers still continue to litter and throw rubbish into the Oda drain as well as the gutters close to the market. When a Parliamentary News reporter interviewed some of the hawkers concerning the reason behind such acts, the response were that, bins are not placed in sight.
By: Celestine Tsatsu
Speaking at the commemoration of the first anniversary of the disaster, the mayor appealed to families to muster the courage to come forward to identify and claim the mortal remains of their loved ones.
Last year, an explosion at the Goil Filling Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, caused by torrential rains led to the loss of lives of over 150 Ghanaians. The incidents also exposed the weakness of Accra's infrastructure which has failed to keep pace with population growth after years of rapid economic expansion.
The emotion-packed occasion was graced by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the Mayor of Accra, Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Nii Armah Ashitey, officials of the various security agencies, loved ones of the deceased as well as well-wishers of the survivors. The entire place which was filled with chanting of the names of some of the deceased by friends and loved ones, created a sad atmosphere for all.
In a speech read on behalf of the President, the Mayor said the government in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly have put measures in place to ensure that such a devastating incident never repeats itself. He added that, in view of the fact that such incident occurred as a result of choked gutters and drenches, the Assembly has embarked on a project which ensures the de-silting of both the Korle lagoon and the Odo river 24 hours each day, which has so far reached 45% of the total work that needs to be done and generating about 420,000 metric tonnes of filth.
The Mayor noted that as part of the measures put in place to forestall similar occurrences, there have been constant cleaning exercises undertaken all over the city as the total estimated refuse generation is about 3000 tonnes daily. “With the constant de-silting, clean ups and various renovations ongoing [on] i am certain such an incident would never repeat itself again,” he added. He said about sixty families have so far received entitlements from the government worth about GH10,000 cedis per family.
Also the medical expenses of about 15 people have been fully footed by the government. The solemn but colourful occasion saw a contingent from the Ghana Police Service processing from the church to the Goil filling station for the laying of wreath by the dignitaries and bereaved families.
However, a critical look at the disaster scene and it surrounding area shows that much has not changed as pedestrians and hawkers still continue to litter and throw rubbish into the Oda drain as well as the gutters close to the market. When a Parliamentary News reporter interviewed some of the hawkers concerning the reason behind such acts, the response were that, bins are not placed in sight.
By: Celestine Tsatsu
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