Where Is The Fire Report?

We are yet to hear or read about the outcome of the investigations into the Kantamanto and other fire outbreaks.

Many saw in the arrival of the American experts and the conclusion of their work a solution to the fire outbreaks. That was the source of their excitement; but their expectations and hopes appear to have been dashed, as the Americans have left with no presentation of a report.

Perhaps their findings are unpalatable to the government, hence the silence and unceremonious departure.

Even in the absence of such a report, we were treated to another fire outbreak at the CMB Abuja in Accra last Tuesday.

Are we going to be denied a report about what caused the fires? It would be most unfair if after so much propaganda about American experts coming to unravel the enigma of fire outbreaks in the country, we are left in limbo weeks after the arrival of the investigators and their eventual surreptitious departure.

It would appear that there is no end in sight for the fires, especially since reports including recommendations that could help in obviating future recurrence are not forthcoming even after spending so much money to have foreign experts come and undertake the exercise.

Fires have become so common that the destruction they wreak is no longer the news but their frequencies. With politicians in the ruling party jumping into the fray of fire outbreaks, the dust it has generated is not unusual.

We have learnt about worrying developments from the Makola No. 2 fire victims, who suffered arguably the worst consequences of the series of infernos to hit town.

The victims squat and sell their wares outside the market after waiting almost indefinitely for the completion of the American investigation into the fire that ravaged the facility.

We recall politicians from the ruling party visiting the market shortly after the fire with sugar-coated promises to address their problems. To date, nothing has been done to convince them that succour is close by.

Victims of the fire have, to date, not been able to have access to the remnants of their wares. They were earlier told that allowing them into the place would tamper with the investigations of the American experts. But now that the experts are long gone, what is stopping them from entering the market?

Keeping their wares outside has led them to suffer a number of challenges such as the loss of their stuff to preying thieves at night.

It is our plea that the authorities intervene to mitigate the suffering of the women, most of who are breadwinners for their families.

Source: Editorial/Daily Guide