Vice President and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia has paid a visit to victims of the recent fire disaster at the Madina market in Accra.
The purpose of the visit was to have a first-hand view of the state of affairs in the market after a section of the main market was caught up in flames.
It was also to allow him to formally assess the architectural project design of the two-storey building intended to be newly constructed for victims of the fire incident to allow the project to take off.
Under the auspices of the Vice-President, a new two-storey building is to be constructed at the same location for the victims and other potential occupants.
On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, a fire gutted a one-storey building of the Madina main market including numerous container shops on the opposite side of the building destroying commodities and properties worth over a hundred thousand.
Accompanying the Vice President were Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate, Titus Nii Kwartei Glover; Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP, Divine Agohor; Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprise Agency, Cozy Yankey; Chief Fire Officer, Mr Julius Gonnor; Director General, National Disaster Management Organization, Agyeman Prempeh; NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Robert Lamptey and the Municipal Chief Executive((MCE) for La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly, Jennifer Dede Adjabeng.
On his arrival, he was led to the scene of the disaster after which he was conducted through sections of the market to pay a courtesy call to the traders amid loud cheers and chants by enthusiastic supporters and traders.
Addressing the gathering of party supporters, victims of the fire disaster and curious onlookers, Dr Bawumia said he received the news of the fire incident at the market with a heavy heart upon which he decided to initiate steps to visit and support the traders.
He said following the incident, he directed architectural designers and building consultants to undertake a structural integrity test of the building including estimates for renovation or the construction of a new one.
According to him, after affected traders relocate into the new building to be completed by the end of year, they would certainly need to restock their wares to stay in business, saying for that reason, arrangements have been put in place to recapitalize them to stay in business.
He urged the traders to sign up for fire insurance to secure them during unforeseen incidents such as fire disasters.
Touching on the welfare of head potters, he said two hostels have been put up in Madina and Ashaiman which would be inaugurated on May 4, 2024, to accommodate them following which they would be equipped with vocational skills to empower them economically.
Dr Bawumia donated two hundred thousand Ghana cedis to the victims through the Municipal Assembly to prop up the businesses of the victims.
To further sustain their businesses, the Vice-President directed the Ghana Enterprises Agency through its Women's Empowerment Programme to provide financial support to the traders according to its terms.
The project consultant, Felix Atrim of AMMA Investment Limited said following the conduct of the integrity test of the burnt building, a two-storey building would be newly constructed which would contain 120 shops with about 78 small shops on the premises.
He said the project would take six- months to complete adding that the cooperation of traders would be needed to ensure a smooth completion.
In a welcome address, Hon. Dede Adjabeng, on behalf of the traders, expressed appreciation to the Vice President for the premium he places on issues of women in the municipality, particularly, in times of distress.
She also applauded his commitment to ensuring that the necessary measures were put in place to restore the livelihood of the traders.
The MCE said though the fire caused extensive havoc, no casualties were recorded adding that about 70 traders were victimized during the incident.
She said a rigorous screening and validation process have been undertaken to ascertain the background of victims and to ensure transparency in the disbursement of support funds.
On his part, Titus Glover urged the traders to recognize the committed efforts of Dr Bawumia to mitigate their plight even in his present position as the Vice President, adding that, given the full mandate as president, he was bound to deliver greater goodies for all.
He, therefore, pleaded with them to vote massively for him on December 7 to enable him to embark on a greater all-inclusive development drive for the nation.
In a brief fire prevention sensitization, a Senior Fire Service Officer, Salia Abdullai admonished the traders to desist from selling their wares on access routes that impede frantic efforts to get to disaster spots during emergencies.
He further cautioned them to desist from illegal connections and avoid engaging unauthorized persons for such services adding that they should always resort to the offices of the Electricity Company of Ghana for personnel to be assigned for such services to prevent fire disasters.
Credit: Francis Cofie
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