The Minority group in Parliament has demanded an enquiry into the tragic explosion in Apiate, a town close to Bogoso in the Western Region in which about 17 lives were reportedly lost and over 50 people injured.
According to the Group, reports confirm that a motorcycle run into a vehicle carrying explosives, resulting in the carnage that lead to the loss of lives and destruction to properties.
“This incident is unacceptable because there are strictly laid down protocols to be followed during transportation of such explosives in accordance with LI 2177.
“It is our firm conviction that with strict regulatory enforcement and compliance of protocols, this unfortunate incident could have been averted,” the Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee, John Abdulai Jinapor said this in a statement dated January 21, 2022.
He continued “the Minority is therefore calling for an impartial enquiry into this heart-wrenching accident and unfortunately loss of at least seventeen lives and destruction of several properties. This enquiry among others will prevent the recurrence of such an incident in the future.”
He also called on the government to do all within its powers to support the affected people in order to ameliorate their lost adding that the Minority wish to join well-meaning Ghanaians to commiserate and share in the pain and anguish of all affected people.
Meanwhile, the Police has appealed to residents around the Bogoso area to vacate the area to nearby towns for their safety.
The incident according to sources happened on Thursday afternoon.
Amateur footage of the explosion making rounds on social media with bodies seen scattered on the floor near the accident site.
According to the Police “preliminary investigation has established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion.
“Most of the victims have been rescued and are on admission at various hospitals and clinics within the Bogoso Municipality”.
The Police statement further noted “Reinforcement of resources and personnel have been deployed to effectively handle the incident.
“We continue to urge the public to remain calm as we manage the situation.
“Further updates regarding the emergency evacuation of the injured will be communicated in due course”
MINORITY CALLS FOR AN INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY INTO THE BOGOSO EXPLOSION
The Minority in Parliament has received the tragic news of an explosion in Apiate, a town close to Bogoso in the Western Region in which several lives and properties were lost.
Credible reports confirm that a motorcycle run into a vehicle carrying explosives resulting in the carnage leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
This incident is unacceptable because there are strictly laid down protocols to be followed during the transportation of such explosives in accordance with LI2177.
It is our firm conviction that with strict regulatory enforcement and compliance of protocols, this unfortunate incident could have been averted.
The Minority is therefore calling for an impartial enquiry into this heart-wrenching accident and unfortunately lost of at least seventeen lives and destruction of several properties.
This enquiry among others will prevent the recurrence of such an incident in the future.
We, therefore, call on the government to do all within its powers to support the affected people in order to ameliorate their lost.
The Minority wishes to join well-meaning Ghanaians to commiserate and share in the pain and anguish of all affected people.
Signed.