Four people in charge of four private companies in Tema, were yesterday arrested during a special operation by the National Insurance Commission (NIC) for not insuring their office buildings against fire.
They are Kingsley Osei of Ever Pure Water Company, Dan Awuku of Pee Tay Limited, William Mitso of Cardinal Petroleum Company and Dede Afotey of Ampenebea House.
Owners of seven other companies were also asked to report to the Police Headquarters today for questioning. They include Gellog Limited, Wier Mineral West Africa Company, Alfa Petroleum Limited, Link Afrique Company and A-Z Petroleum Company.
The operation by the National Task Force for Compulsory Insurance of the NIC revealed that, the companies did not have fire certificates and insurance, therefore their buildings are prone to fire outbreak.
Five of the companies, including the two petroleum companies, share a fence wall with the Central Medical Stores which was gutted by fire last week.
Speaking to the media after the operation, the chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Joseph Bentor, said the law stipulates that it is compulsory for all commercial buildings including those under construction and completed, to be insured against fire.
He said, that is meant to ensure that users and properties on buildings are protected against damages and losses that might occur through fire outbreak.
He said, it is therefore an offence for any person to fail to insure his or her commercial building saying, �such people will be prosecuted when found culpable�.
Mr. Bentor said that the Task Force has resolved to embark on similar operations across the country this year.
�We have started with Accra and Tema and very soon, we shall go to all the 10 regions. The exercise will be conducted twice every week and it will continue until we are certain that, they complied with the law�, he said.
He urged owners of commercial buildings to ensure that their properties are insured to ensure the safety of occupants of their buildings.
Mr. Bentor asked occupants of commercial buildings to ensure that owners of the buildings insure the buildings.
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