The Tema Regional Commander of the Ghana Fire Service, Gilford Tetteh Adam, has noted that the Metropolis could collapse in a fire outbreak if illegal structures scattered everywhere were not demolished.
He urged the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) to demolish illegal structures, especially at Tema Newtown and Ashiaman.
Speaking to the media in Tema, Mr. Adam noted that illegal wiring in most of the communities had increased the potential of a massive fire outbreak. According to him, most of the wires used by the populace were of inferior quality and could not withstand the country’s harsh weather conditions.
Mr. Adam added that the hydrants to be used for water supply in case of fire outbreak, had been blocked because of the illegal.
Citing Tema Newtown, he noted that most of the structures had been built along the beach in which some fishermen live which according to him, is dangerous because of the fuel they keep in their rooms.
Also referring to Ashiaman, one of the slum areas, the Regional Commander indicated that the problem there was not different as the community had lost its beauty due to the existence of illegal structures and unauthorized wiring.
He added that some settlers around the Tema Oil Refinery buy fuel illegally and sell it to the public at a minimal price saying, “it will be a disaster if there is fire outbreak because of the conditions they live in.”
He urged the TDC and TMA to embark on a demolition exercise to forestall any disaster in the future. The Regional Commander also charged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to cooperate with the TDC and the TMA to embark on a disconnection exercise in the communities mentioned.
Mr. Adam urged the Ghana Standard Board to revisit the law of importation in order to minimize the importation of inferior quality goods into the country.