AMA Compensates Melcom Disaster Victims

By-Mohammed Saani Ibrahim- The Accra Times

Bereaved families of the infamous Melcom disaster will each receive an amount of GHC 1500.00 whiles those who sustained various degrees of injuries will receive an amount of GHC 1000.00 each.

According to hon. Alfred Oku Vanderpuije, the Mayor of Accra, the Disaster Fund established by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly [AMA] to cater for the bereaved families and victims of the melcom disaster has generated an amount of GHC 91,000.00.

This information was made known to journalists in Accra during the occasion of a meeting mediated by the Mayor of Accra between the Management of Melcom and surviving victims and bereaved families of the Company’s staff who lost their lives as a result of the disaster.

The AMA Boss thanked Management of Melcom and its employees for attending the meeting and added that it is the commitment of Government to amicably solve the differences between management and workers of the company.

His Assembly, he promised is also committed to ensuring that such a disaster will not occur again in the metropolis.

The meeting came about as a result of the misunderstanding between top management of melcom and workers who sustained some degrees of injuries. Some of them complained that the company did not took care of their medical bills as Melcom claimed to have done which prompted the Accra Mayor to intervene. The workers also did complain that the salaries paid them during their time of recuperation was not up to date which the company promised to investigate and make the necessary corrections. Melocom on their part promised to continue paying the salaries of all workers affected by the disaster especially those who sustained injuries until they fully recovered to continue with their duties at the company. The Company indicated that they have paid the November salaries of all individuals affected by the disaster and promised to check and correct the mistakes made in the payments as there are some discrepancies of not up to standard salary payments. On compensation, Melcom indicated that the process has began with documentation completed and presented to the medical office for onward presentation to the Melcom labour office. To this effect, the Company assured the mayor that in no time and in accordance with the laws of Ghana, the affected workers will be compensated.

The Accra Mayor advised the victims not to stop their medical visitation and also send their medical reports to their employers. He further warned them from using their recuperation period to work for another company as they are still employees of Melcom Ghana limited.

Hon. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije expressed his happiness on the amicable agreements reached between the Melcom management and the affected workers which he is optimistic will ensure a better living condition for the people.

The Fund which was started with seed money of GHC 30, 00.00 by the AMA received donations from various institutions and kind loving Ghanaians.

An amount of GHC 3000.00 has been kept in the account to keep it running for further contribution from the general public and subsequent distribution to beneficiaries.

The Melcom disaster which occurred in Achimota, a suburb of Accra is known to have claimed fourteen lives and injured sixty-six extra workers of the company.