• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Citi TV
Friday, August 19, 2022
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
No Result
View All Result

Access to water: Fire Service blames GWCL for challenges in fighting Makola fire

Daisy Palinwinde JacobsbyDaisy Palinwinde Jacobs
July 7, 2021
Reading Time: 2 mins read
ShareShareShareShare

The Ghana National Fire Service is blaming the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) for the extent of damage recorded at the Makola Market in Accra, after fire gutted a three-storey building filled with wigs and other cosmetic products.

According to the Service, although there is an existing arrangement for the Ghana Water Company to supply water in cases of emergencies, the latter failed to do so even after several calls to them.

The Fire Service spent over five hours battling the flames that gutted the building.

Although the incident occurred at Makola, fire tenders had to go as far as Achimota, Circle or Kaneshie to access water.

Eyewitnesses blamed the Fire Service for the level of destruction caused by the inferno.

Addressing the press on the outcome of preliminary investigations into the incident, the Chief Fire Officer of the Service, Ekow Blankson complained about the unresponsiveness of the Ghana Water Company Limited.

“We had the first call at 9:41 am [on Monday], however, because of the situation on the ground, we needed additional pumps. It is not to say that the Fire Service went to the grounds without any water. For security purposes, we always rely on ECG to disconnect the power in the area to make sure the responders are safe. It is not to say that they [our team] never went, and they were scared. Rather, we saw the need for them to have more backup so that they can storm the building.”

“Of all the responders, the Ghana National Fire Service was the only fire agency that stormed the building. We had to call for extra pumps. I was very much disappointed because we had an arrangement with Ghana Water Company Limited contractors to supply us with water, unfortunately, they did not come, and the message I had from my operations officer was that the last time they [GWCL] were given coupons instead of cash.”

“If you never complained about receiving coupons instead of cash at that time, but decided to keep quiet until another outbreak of fire to disappoint the Fire Service, it’s quite unfortunate. We had to bring extra resources. The army and police came for protection purposes, Aviation was about to come, but I stopped them because I thought the fire was under control.”

GWCL denies claims

But speaking to Umaru Amadu Sanda on Eyewitness News, the Head of Communication at the Ghana Water Company Limited, Stanley Martey, denied claims that the outfit was responsible for the late response of the Fire Service.

“I am privy to the sound from the press conference held by the Chief Fire Officer, and he said we failed to supply them with water via tankers. I’m sorry, Ghana Water Company does not do tanker service. Even when we did the free water supply during Covid last year, we all heard that we had to rent private tankers to be supporting us, and we paid them. We also don’t have any contractors that supply water. They are private entities, and we also hire them when we need their service.”

“The fire hydrants are fitted to our main distribution lines and on almost every kilometre there is a fire hydrant. So we supply water via our pipelines and not tankers. He can’t conclude that our pipelines are often dry because when the three initial tankers came they were full, and I was there personally and there was no point in time that they didn’t have water in any of the tenders, so nobody can blame Ghana water for it,” he added.

ShareTweetSendSend
Previous Post

Ofori-Atta tables $28M loan agreement for MPs to buy cars

Next Post

‘Remove party thugs integrated into security agencies’ – NDC to government

Related Posts

Fire Service cautions public against purchase of refurbished gas cylinders

August 14, 2022
Top Stories

Fire ravages Mile 7 market in Accra

July 30, 2022
News

Firefighters’ timely intervention averts gas explosion on Takoradi Highway

July 22, 2022
Top Stories

5 fire officers interdicted over alleged disappearance of GH¢30K from accident scene

January 11, 2022
General

Eastern Region: Fire service to begin monitoring, sensitisation at market places

August 4, 2021
Top Stories

We are committed to saving lives and property – Fire service

August 3, 2021
Next Post

'Remove party thugs integrated into security agencies' - NDC to government

TOP STORIES

Police move in to stop Katanga, Conti clash at KNUST

August 18, 2022

Upper West NPP executives rescind threat to boycott Akufo-Addo’s tour

August 18, 2022

Arise Ghana demands suspension of utility tariff increments

August 18, 2022
Load More
ADVERTISEMENT
Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana

CitiNewsroom.com is Ghana's leading news website that delivers high quality innovative, alternative news that challenges the status quo.

Archives

Download App

Download

Download

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Citi TV

© 2021 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Coronavirus
  • Infographics
  • Livestream
  • Videos

© 2021 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT