Squatters at Tema Oil Refinary to be relocated
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 May 2002- Parliament on Tuesday endorsed the Minister of Energy, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah's plans to relocate squatters at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to a safe place. The measure is to forestall any massive future disaster in case of fire outbreak.
The MPs, who were contributing to a statement the Minister made on the fire outbreak which occurred at TOR, said the presence of fuel tankers and the large number of squatters in the vicinity of the Refinery especially along the main drainage area posed a danger to TOR. Mr Kan-Dapaah said repair work on TOR due to the fire outbreak on 21 May this year would cost about 100 million cedis and that the refinery was fully insured.
He said the Ministry was to set up a committee comprising representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Tema Municipal Authority, Police, Military, Ghana National Fire Service and any other agency deemed appropriate to investigate the fire outbreak.
The Committee is also to review the implications of the fire incident and to improve the readiness of all agencies in dealing with fire outbreaks. The Committee that the refinery has itself set up to investigate the fire outbreak would submit its report by the end of this month. The Minister commended the TOR security and other agencies for helping in putting off the fire within 20 to 30 minutes of its outbreak.
Supporting the Minister Mr George Amo, NPP-Ayawaso-Wuogon, said parking of fuel tankers at the Refinery should be streamlined to avoid any future damage. Mr Akwasi Dante-Afriyie, NPP-Atwima-Mponua, called for the immediate removal of all squatters from the immediate surroundings of the Refinery.
Nii Adu Darku Mante, NPP-Klottey Korle, said every Ghanaian should be educated on fighting fire.He said the Ghana National Fire Service should organise workshops on fire fighting for every Ghanaian. Mrs Grace Coleman, NPP-Effiduase-Asokore, said the Fire Service should be properly resourced and be provided with simple fire fighting gadgets and fire alarm devices so that there would be quick response to fight any outbreak of fire.
Captain Nkrabea Effah-Dartey (Rtd), Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, called for the improvement mobility and communication facilities to make fire-fighting squads alert and efficient. Major Samuel K. Amponsah, NDC-Mpohor Wassa East, asked for the provision of more fire tenders for the rural areas instead of concentrating them in Accra.
Mr Francis Agbotse, NDC-Ho West, said oil depots built in the country for bulk haulage of petroleum product especially the one at Mame-Wata near Atimpoku on the Ho-Accra road should be put to use to decongest the TOR.
GR…/
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