14th May 2023 12:17:30 PM
2 mins readThe Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has expressed worry over the loss of lives and injuries recorded due to the rampant collapse of buildings in the country.
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According to the Fire Service, two lives have been lost, with 62 injured persons in the past four months due to eight separate structural collapses.
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The Greater Accra Region, it noted, recorded the highest number of cases, 6, while the Ashanti and Northern Regions recorded one each.
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Per the GNFS' observation, these incidents mostly happened with buildings under construction with "weak foundation, reduction in reinforcements, reduction in concrete strength."
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The Service further noted that failure to perform strength tests, supervision and the use of poor building materials are among the reasons for the recent accidents.
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They have therefore called on the relevant stakeholders, especially the Engineering Council to look into the matter and address the worrying trend.
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Already, the Engineering Council has announced that it will set up a team to look into the matter.
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Meanwhile, the GNFS has called on land developers to desist from engaging the services of uncertified development practitioners and rather use the appropriate processes of securing building or construction permits with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
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8 separate accidents
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With regards to the country's capital, three out of the six incidents were recorded in about 8 days - from May 1 to May 9.
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On May 1, an uncompleted three-storey building collapsed at SDA Junction near KPOGAS Furniture at Adenta. A life was lost as a result while two construction workers sustained critical injuries.
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On May 4, another uncompleted three-storey building came tumbling down at Nanakrom within the Adenta Municipality where a life was also lost.
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The Bortianor incident where a three-storey building collapsed, injuring seven occurred on May 9.
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Prior to that, a storey building under construction at Ashongman Estate collapsed, injuring five on February 15 this year.
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On March 1 and April 21, a three-storey building at the Royal Gospel Junior HIGH school at Sakura and a warehouse with an adjoining building at Taifa collapsed respectively.
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The school incident recorded no casualty, however, two individuals sustained injuries in the latter.
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In the Ashanti Region, the dinning hall of Ejuraman Senior High School in Ejura on February 7, collapsed on a group of students, trapping and injuring 45. They were rescued and transported to the Ejura Government Hospital.
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On May 6, a six-storey building under construction at the Tamale-UDS City campus in the Northern Region collapsed. No casualty was recorded.
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Source: The Independent Ghana
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