GNFS wants Parliament to ban high-rise buildings

The Ghana National Fire Service has appealed to Parliament to enact a legislation that would empower it to prevent the construction of high rise buildings in the country.

The Chief Fire Officer, Dr. Albert Brown-Gaisie who made the appeal said the legislative support had become imperative because of the emerging trend of constructing high-rise buildings which pose many challenges in fighting fire outbreaks in them.

“With the upsurge and increase in high-rise buildings, the last time that we took delivery of equipment, they were only three in this country and that can reach a maximum of six floors…In some countries, they are using what we call hydraulic platforms.

“The latest hydraulic platform can reach 45 floors within a period of ten minutes. Unfortunately, we don’t even have one hydraulic platform in this country”.

Dr. Gaisie made the appeal when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to respond to issues raised in the Audit Report on GNFS’ performance.