Energy Minister and MP for Manhyia South Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh on Saturday (16 December) visited the scene of the fire outbreak at Alabar-Frenchline to acquaint himself with the extent of damage and console the affected traders.
The lawmaker was accompanied by some assembly members and known officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Manhyia South Constituency.
The visit which took about an hour saw the legislator expressing worry at the many stores and wares burnt as a result of the fire outbreak whose cause is yet to be identified.
Officials of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) revealed that 100 stores, merchandise and cash worth several millions of Ghana cedis were damaged in last Sunday’s incident. Napo, as he is affectionately called decried the illegal structures and poor wiring systems at the market, especially at the epicentre of the fire.
“The issue of congestion is a huge challenge here. The fire crew faced a heavy task in gaining access to the scene. I implore the market leadership to engage city authorities to deal with this situation”, Napo said as he urged the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to initiate a move to give the market a facelift.
“I will also task the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to initiate an audit into the metering system of this enclave to ensure a safe wiring system. I urge you all to desist from the act of illegal connections which could be a major cause of this fire incident”, he noted.
Napo further assured the traders that authorities would work feverishly to compensate the affected traders investigate the fire outbreak and evolve drastic measures to solve the problem.
He, in the interim, donated 100 bags of cement and 20 packets of roofing sheets to the affected victims.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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