ACI consoles families of Melcom disaster

The Ghana Chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), has expressed condolence to the families of the victims of the Melcom disaster, which occurred at the Achimota branch shopping mall.

A statement signed by Mr Ebenezer Zabaku, Executive President of the Institute, extended a message of condolence to the bereaved families as well to the relatives of those who got hurt.

It said the tragedy was not the first to be recorded in the country citing other incidents that occurred at Spintex road and Gbawe.

It said collective responsibility of all stakeholders was needed to achieve durable, aesthetic and threat-free, residential and commercial structures.

The statement said land lords, town and country planners and the law enforcement agencies were all indispensable partners in achieving solid structures for human occupation.

It said most Ghanaians today were more interested in wealth creation than protecting human lives and properties. It noted that accident of this nature did not boost investor confidence looking at Ghana’s economic potentials.

“We need to know that whether we are talking domestic policy or foreign policy, the context for everything we do is global,” it added.

It said the occurrence of these avoidable tragedies was a sufficient confirmation of weak or non-existent collaboration between stakeholders in the infrastructure industry.

It called on the Government to find out where the chain of collaboration had slacked so as to fix it.

The statement said the manner in which commercial and residential facilities were being built on water ways and other unapproved areas, showed that “someone has reneged on his assigned duties.” 

According to the statement, the Institution was taking measures to collaborate with government and stakeholders to provide the necessary technical and educational support needed.

ACI is a technical and educational society dedicated to improving the design, construction, maintenance and repair of concrete and masonry structures.