NII BOI TOWN DISASTER RENDERS 18 REFUGEES

SOME EIGHTEEN residents have been affected by the recent collapse of a six-storey hotel building at Nii Boi Town near Lapaz, a suburb of Accra.

The victims who shared their sentiments with the Daily Heritage on Friday said after the building collapsed, personnel from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) ordered them to vacate their houses to enable rescue officials undertake their job effectively.

According to them, they were compelled to sleep outside as refugees and in hotels as law abiding citizens, but the cost of living outside home is becoming too much to bear.

One of the victims, Fulera Issaka recounted to the paper that she was asleep with her daughter when the incident happened so they were forced to pass through their window because some of the blocks from the collapsed building fell on their roof.

The victims were so furious that they had to reject some items presented to them by NADMO officials and insist on going back to their homes. They also want the owner of the collapsed building to compensate them.

However, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinator of NADMO, Daniel Mensah said “the situation now does not make the place safe for the inhabitants and I cannot allow them to go back” adding  “those affected were given another option to move to our head office and have shelter there for a short period, but they declined our offer.”

He noted that NADMO did not want to compel the victims and therefore left everything in their hands, but was quick to add that because of the proximity of their houses, they have to clear the debris before they can allow them back.

Those affected were given some bags of rice, mattresses, bed spread and gallons of oil among others.

A survivor who was rushed to the Police Hospital was responding to treatment during a visit to the hospital by some NADMO officials led by the National Coordinator, Kofi Portuphy and the Deputy Minister for Gender, Children Social Protection, Rachael Appoh.

The victim, Alex Adjumotey was being attended to by ACP Dr. Iddi Mussah.

Dr. Mussah told the Daily Heritage that the victim was in a stable condition and hopes to see him well and fit.

The NADMO Boss and the Deputy Minister presented some items to him and wished him well, assuring him of government’s support.

Meanwhile, the rescue team was still working to clear debris of the collapsed building to ascertain if there was someone still trapped. 

Source [dailyheritageonline.com/Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy]