Governance expert, Frederick Oduro has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the government’s planned commissioning of a new accommodation facility for victims of the devastating Appiatse explosion.
The disaster, which occurred on 20 January, 2022, claimed 13 lives and left many residents homeless. While some residents have expressed frustration at the pace of reconstruction efforts, Oduro believes the government should proceed with the commissioning ceremony.
“Let’s be very frank here. It’s unfortunate what happened at the place. But government cannot do everything within a day to resolve every challenge the people over there have got”, said Oduro in an interview on Asaase Radio’s Big Bulletin on Wednesday (13 March)
Oduro emphasised the need to categorise the various needs of the affected population. “Some might have lost their lives, some might have gotten into some health challenges for which they need support or payment of their medical bills, some may have lost property, they must be supported to rebuild, some might have lost their livelihood, they can be supported,” he explained.
He cautioned against residents using the commissioning as a bargaining chip. “If government has provided some but not all, and they said, Look, we have built so many, we needed even 100 buildings; we have been able to plot 20, let’s give out the 20 and as and when we finish the rest, we give it out,” Oduro said. “You have had a challenge; something has been provided, and then you say I will not accept it until you provide for everybody. Where is that coming from? We don’t think it’s fair.”
The commissioning ceremony for the new accommodation, originally planned for Wednesday (13 March), was postponed due to residents’ objections.
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