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O&A disaster committee submits report

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 Source: GNA

Kumasi, Feb. 28, GNA - The nine-member committee appointed by the Ashanti Regional Security Committee (RESEC) to investigate the causes of the collapse of a four-storey building at the O&A Travel and Tour bus terminal at Nfanti New town in Kumasi, has recommended the prosecution of the owner and the contractor working on the building. According to the report the owner of the building, Mr Opoku Agyeman, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the O&A Travel and Tours, should face the full rigours of the law for undertaking the project without an approved building plan.

Presenting the Committee's report to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, in Kumasi on Tuesday, Mr Solomon Ayeah, the Chairman of the Committee, said human error and carelessness on the part of the management of the company and the contractor led to the collapse of the building.

Mr Ayeah said the committee identified lack of technical know-how on the part of the contractor and the use of inferior building materials coupled with shoddy architectural designs as the main cause of the disaster.

He said the collapse was due to the over burdening of one side of the building, which resulted from the change of the original plan of the building.

Mr Ayeah said the committee also recommended to the RESEC to question the police for its failure to release a report on the disaster. He said the committee recommended for compensation to be paid to the victims of the disaster.

Mr Owusu-Ansah said the RESEC would undertake thorough study of the report and take action to prevent future occurrence of such disasters.

It would be recalled that on December 15, 2006, the four-storey building which was under construction at the O&A Travel and Tour bus terminal collapsed and killed two persons who were employees of the company. Many people including passengers were also injured in the disaster. 28 Feb 07

Source: GNA