Fire hydrants at Takoradi central market dysfunctional
Three out of six fire hydrants installed at the Takoradi Central Market are not working because thieves have stolen some parts.
Some traders use the hydrants as platform to sell their wares thereby making them invisible for easy identification by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) during fire disasters.
The entrances to the market is often blocked by traders which create difficulties for fire tenders to enter to attend to emergencies.
This came to light when Mr Alfred Ekow Gyan, Deputy Western Regional Minister, toured the market to assess the readiness of the GNFS to combat fire in the facility.
He asked the Service to repair the dysfunctional fire hydrants and barricade them to prevent encroachment.
He also ordered that all obstructions along the entrance of the market should be removed to allow easy access by fire tenders.
Mr Gyan advised traders using gas cylinders and naked fire to prepare food to stop the practice since it poses danger to the market.
During the tour illegal electrical connection and poor wiring system by some traders were unveiled by the experts.
Madam Comfort Quaryme, Takoradi District Fire Commander, said his outfit has been educating traders on the dos and don’ts of fire usage and pledged to intensify the educational drive to avert fire outbreak.
Madam Theresa Martey Mensah, Deputy Regional Manager of the National Disaster Management Organisation , said the body is constrained in terms of supply of relief items to disaster victims and advised people to put proactive measures in place to avoid tragedies.
Source: GNA