By: JULIET METTLE-EDMONDS
Substandard wiring, not adhering to safety protocols, illegal connections, overloading of circuits, negligence among others are contributory to major fires in the markets. However, almost all the markets across the regions have had their share of fires. A team of Safety Officers are therefore on an education drive in some markets. They visited Mallam Atta and Kantamanto Markets in Accra to share some preventive measures.
The visit by the Fire Safety Officers from the Greater Accra Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service, Officials of the Accra West of the Electricity Company, Technical Engineer and the Energy Commission was unannounced.
It was to check on illegal connections, electrical earthing, poor wiring, circuit without protective conductors, smoke dictators among others.
At the Mallam Atta Market, they stopped by a printing, plastic shop, a cold store and a grinding shop.
At the cold Store, despite the illegal connection by the owner, she refused to accept her mistake. Although the owner of the Grinding Shop had receipts of prepaid power purchased, his meter was not reading which indicated an illegal connection.
At the Kantamanto Market, the team visited the Shelves of Used Clothes. This is the electrical wiring connecting the Ironing, neatening and tailoring sections.
Accepting their shortcoming in terms of Electrical wiring, the Kantamanto Executives said the market has only one Electrician responsible for all electrical installations. But they were unsure of his certification or otherwise by the Energy Commission for that job.
The Chairman of the Kantamanto Traders Association Mr. Samuel Amoah, promised to deal with all the flaws identified by the team to avert any disaster. According to him, anyone who does not compile with the directive will be disconnected.
The team said Kantamanto is sitting on a time bomb because almost ninety percent of the power in use is illegal, coupled with poor wiring.
The Chief Technician Engineer of the Accra West of the Electricity Company lamented over the poor wiring system in the market which he says can cause a fire outbreak at any time. He called for a rewiring of the entire market.
The Director of Fire Safety at the Greater Accra Regional Command of GNFS, DO I Evans Osei -Wusu said the exercise will be done periodically to minimize fire in the various markets.
The team promised to revisit the two markets. The team is continuing with its market visits.
