The Assembly Member for Railways Electoral Area Daniel Joe Ahiale who doubles as sub-committee Chairman for Justice and Security committee of the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly has revealed that Akosombo Fire Service jettisoned its highly costly faulty fire tender to repair the low-cost faulty tender of Koforidua and took it away.
Daniel Ahiale said the repair cost of the faulty fire engine of Akosombo was about Ghc60,000 while that of Koforidua was Ghc24,000.
He stated that Akosombo quickly raised Ghc24,000 to repair the Koforidua fire tender and took it away under the permission of the regional fire service commander.
Daniel Ahiale revealed this in an interview with Abena Pokua Ahwenee Dadi 101.1 FM morning show Program dubbed “Efa Wo Ho”.
According to him, the decision is incompetent and dangerous, adding that, a report has been laid to the Municipal Assembly on the matter.
Mybrytfmonline.com published on Monday, August 16, 2021, that, the only fire engine serving both New Juaben North and South municipalities in the Eastern Regional capital has been redeployed to Akosombo in the Asuogyaman district.
Currently, the Fire Service station in Koforidua relies on a very old fire tender that cannot fight a serious fire outbreak.
This fire tender created a fire-fighting debacle in December 2020 when it failed to douse a fire that gutted shops near Obayaa Mothercare in Koforidua.
The power to pump water is as weak as erectile dysfunction. The fire tender frequently breaks down in the middle of the road when responding to minor fire outbreaks in the Municipality.
Mybrytfmonline.com has established that, with the current precarious situation, the Koforidua Fire Station will heavily depend on the very busy and stressful Fire Tender at the Regional Office of the Service which is back up for reinforcement in case of a devastating fire outbreak or a grisly car crash.
Koforidua as the Regional Capital has sensitive institutions and installations such as the Regional Coordinating Council which is the seat of the Regional Minister, Regional Headquarters of all the Security Agencies, Regional Officers of the various Ministries, Agencies and departments are also located in Koforidua.
Again, four tertiary institutions, over 10 SHS as well as the Eastern Regional Hospital, St. Joseph Orthopedic hospital, SDA Hospital among others.
Residents in New Juaben North and South especially businessmen and women are worried about the decision.
An attempt to speak to the Koforidua fire officer was unsuccessful.
However, staff at the office said it is internal arrangements; however, do not have authority to speak on the matter.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
