Head of Public Relations at the Ghana National Fires Service (GNFS), ACFO Timothy Osafo-Affum, has decried the encroachment of illegal structures on fire hydrants in the country.
ACFO Osao-Affum revealed that the building of such structures on hydrants makes it impossible to access water when a fire emergency occurs. He explained that it is imperative the appropriate authorities urgently address the issue.
“We have a fair idea of [hydrants] that have been encroached upon. In Accra alone, we are talking in the region between 50 and 60 [and] countrywide, it runs into the hundreds.”
ACFO Timothy Osafo-Affum
Touching on the age-long menace of illegal structures serving as an impediment to the swift response to fire emergencies, ACFO Osafo-Affum expressed that the issuance of permits to persons to put up structures on hydrants without proper inspection of the site first is a major challenge the Service is facing.
Once a permit is issued for someone to build a structure, ACFO Osafo-Affum questioned how such a permit can be revoked later due to the negligence and lack of due diligience undertaken by the parties involved. He explained that this poses a great challenge for the assemblies to deal with. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the assemblies and the relevant stakeholders are cooperating with the Service to help ensure that people do not build structures on fire hydrants.
ACFO Osafo-Affum highlighted that the Service is working with all the assemblies to ensure that structures that can be demolished are demolished and those that “cannot be demolished, we see how we can relocate the hydrants to a different place.”
“Like I said, if the power were to be in our hands, this will be a one-day affair to finish it. But once the power is not in our hands, we need to collaborate with the key stakeholders. So, if any of them is not ready, it means the job cannot be done because that is the situation on the ground… For example if a permit has been given to someone to build on a fire hydrant, how do you go back and move the same person you have given the permit to build on the fire hydrant? So, it then becomes a difficult issue to deal with. But if the person has not been given a permit, then it becomes very easy to move the person…”
ACFO Timothy Osafo-Affum
Investigation commences on Opera Square fire outbreak
Speaking on Monday’s fire outbreak at the Opera Square in the central business district of Accra, ACFO Osafo-Affum indicated that as at this morning fire-fighters have been able to finally extinguish the fire and a full-scale investigation has begun. Due to this, he noted that it is still early days yet and cannot readily provide information and establish the cause of fire.
“Once we have initiated investigations, we will be able to come out with the actual the cause of the fire.”
ACFO Timothy Osafo-Affum
Commenting on the commendation by traders over the Fire Service’s prompt response to Monday’s fire, the GNFS Head of Public Relations attributed it to the work undertaken by the Service to improve its operations and service to all and sundry.
“I think because of our education, they now understand our job and that is what has changed their perception about what we have been doing. Then also, we have deliberately ensured that the moment we get there and we do a quick assessment of the situation and you notice that you alone cannot bring the situation under control, you request for assistance. So, yesterday, we mobilized as many fire appliances as possible to that area and that also explains the reason why they are commending us.”
ACFO Timothy Osafo-Affum
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