Veep Dr. Bawumia, Interior Minister and other Govt Officials Visit Gas Explosion Scene

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia accompanied by the interior minister, Energy Minister and other government officials have visited the gas explosion scene at the Atomic junction near Madina a suburb of Accra. 

Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, who was to visit Salaga with President Nana Akufo-Addo today [Sunday], truncated his program to the scene of the incident.

Addressing the press, Vice President Dr. Bawumia said Vice president Bawumia says government will strictly enforce measures that govern that establishment of petrol and gas filling stations in the country. 

Describing the Atomic Junction Gas explosion incidence which has claimed about six lives with five more in critical condition as tragic, Vice president Bawumia said such occurrences are getting out of hand which requires new policies. 

He indicated that those who flout these laws will be dealt with stressing that the safety of Ghanaians cannot be compromised.

He said the government owes it to the country to move quickly with a policy to forestall a recurrence of last night's disaster.

"We are going to move to deal with it, and quickly," he said.

The Vice President has assured that a new safety policy will be drawn with key stakeholders like the Fire Service, National Petroleum Authority, and the Police making critical inputs. 

"It is important to put policy in place to sanitize the system. Adding that: ” we need to prioritise the safety of Ghanaians."

Veep Bawumia said government will ensure that such incidents do not occur again.

He expressed appreciation to the security, fire service personnel and the media.

The Head of Public Relation of the GNFS, Billy Anaglatey, said six people have been confirmed dead, 35 casualties, including a fire officer, have been recorded with five in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the 37 Military Hospital, while the remaining were receiving treatment at the Legon Hospital and Alpha Clinic. 

The fire brought in its wake huge explosions which were sighted in areas like Legon, Dome, Achimota and Spintex.

Residents in and around Madina New Road and Madina Zongo were temporarily rendered homeless as they had to flee for their dear lives.

Students of the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies and the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC) were not spared either as they had to rush out to safety.

Some of the students were evacuated to the Institute of Chartered Accounts Building at Bawaleshie while others were sent to the Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon.

According to Mr. Anaglatey, the cause of the gas explosion, which extended to the Total Filling Station close by, had not been established as investigations are still ongoing.

The incident caused a huge traffic and chaos on the roads leading to the scene with most drivers and passengers having to abandon their vehicles to run for their dear lives.

Mr. Anagletey said the explosion started around 1930 hours on Saturday and was completely brought under control on Sunday morning.

The Vice President who was accompanied by the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, Minister, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery, MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Emmanuel Agyarko, Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, Science and Technology Minister, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong, Education Minister, Deputy Information, Nadmo, are currently touring some of the hospitals


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