Hon. O.B Amoah, the Minister of State-designate to the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, has stated that the government is committed to assisting traders affected by the fire that destroyed some shops at the Kejetia market.
He made the announcement after leading a delegation that included the Deputy Minister, Hon. Collins Ntim, the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon Samuel Pyne, the head of the National National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and other security agencies to the scene to commiserate with the victims.
He said that he was summoned by the President and the Minister of Local Government to assess the situation and report.
“We have assessed the situation, and we have received assurances that the report on the fire would be released soon, a committee would be formed to investigate the matter, and whatever the outcome, we would take steps to ensure that this kind of outbreak is prevented in the future.”
“Nobody would be allowed to go into the area where the shops were destroyed by fire,” he told the traders. You’ve been permitted to enter because we are. However, no one would be allowed in because the investigation is still ongoing. The Mayor and other authorities have already communicated this. The second point is that the security would be best placed to tell us exactly what it would be prudent to allow traders to return to the area to trade.”
He advised the media to be cautious in their reporting, to avoid rumours, and to stick to the facts about the fire outbreak.
He also disputed claims made by the Chronicle newspaper on Friday, March 17, 2023, that 8,000 shops used only a single metre.
Mr. O.B Amoah ordered that the market remain closed until security agencies determined that it was safe to reopen.
He added that the market would remain closed until the security agencies and investigators completed their assessments.
“The initial closure period is three days but depending on the advice of the consultants and the stakeholders, it could go beyond three days; it could be a week, it could be three weeks, or even more, and for our safety we will extend the period to let the committee do its work,” he added.
The Mayor, for his part, asked the traders to be patient and allow authorities to address the issue, as well as to adhere to the market’s closure until it was reopened.
When asked when the market would reopen, he said they had yet to meet and make a decision.
By: Rainbowreadioonline.com/Ghana
