By Vanessa Adjei
The State Housing Company (SHC), has started mapping out plans to reconstruct buildings in Appiatse, the explosion-stricken town near Bogoso in the Western Region. The SHC’s move follows an announcement by Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday of the government’s plans to reconstruct the town. Dr. Bawumia said the government was partnering with the SHC for the rehabilitation efforts. He said there will also be a collaboration with mining firms operating in the Bogoso area, in the provision of affordable accommodation for those whose houses were destroyed in the blast.
Reconstruction of road:
The Bogosu – Anyanfuri road which was damaged by an explosion three days ago, is currently under reconstruction. The Earthworks foreman for Couto-Rango Consortium, Nicholas Acheampong, said contractors have started filling and compacting portions of the road which were badly damaged by the explosion He said, they have started putting the boulders on the road.
”We can start the layers which will be done in a week’s time,” he noted.
Traditional Authority Speaks:
The Wassa Fiase Traditional Council says it is saddened by the accident that occurred at Apiatse, a subdivision within Beppoh of the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area. The council expressed its appreciation to the Ghana National Fire Service, National Disaster and Management Organization and Security Services for their swift response which to a large extent minimized the impact of the deadly accident that has so far claimed 14 lives and destroyed property running into millions of cedis.
In a statement signed by the Registrar, Seth Opoku, the traditional council said it is overwhelmed by the financial support and relief items from government, statesmen, political institutions, faith Based Organizations among others and called on other well-meaning Ghanaians to emulate the same. The Traditional Council, while commiserating with the Chiefs and people of Beppoh and Appiatse prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured persons. The Traditional Council appealed to the government to look into the cause of the disaster and those found culpable made to face the full rigors of the law.
Psychological Counseling:
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church is reported to be providing some Psychological assistance to the survivors of the Appiatse Disaster. Currently, the males have been separated from the females, according to Desmond Cudjoe, GBC’s Correspondent in the Western Region.
However, there are reports that some of the persons who are due to be discharged from hospital are refusing to leave the hospitals, for fear they have no homes to go to.
Appiatse Explosion Background:
Just like the June 3, 2015, twin disaster, Ghanaians woke up to another depressing, downhearted and sorrowful incident on Wednesday, January 20, 2022, at Appiatse near Bogoso in the western region.
Again, just like five years ago, it has become the jaw-breaking news on all over social media, Television Channels and Radio Stations. An entire community was wiped out within a blink of an eye. According to reports by the Police, the incident occurred as a result of an accident involving a truck conveying explosives for a mining company, a motorcycle, and a third vehicle close to an electricity transformer. But while we mourn with the families, we pause to ask if the transporter of the explosives followed the due procedures.
We wonder if enforcing the laws in this country has become a thorn in the flesh of law enforcers. The Minerals and Mining (explosives) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2177) spells out the conveyance, storage, possession, manufacture, and use of explosives for mining, quarrying and civil works.
The Content of the LI With regard to persons who transport mining explosives
(a) both fuel and explosives in a road vehicle shall ensure that the fuel is carried in a fuel tank;
and (b) explosives in a road vehicle shall ensure that no other material is put in the compartment in which the explosives are carried
Regulation 102—Explosives not to be carried in cab
A person who drives a vehicle shall not carry explosives in the driver’s cab of that vehicle.
Regulation 103—Explosive’s compartment to be cleaned.
A person who drives a vehicle in which explosives are transported shall keep the interior of the explosives compartment clean and in good order. Conveyance by road.
Regulation 104—Authorised vehicle requirements
A person who uses a vehicle to transport explosives shall ensure that the vehicle is authorized and
(a) is of sound construction and free from any patent defect, and is maintained in good working
order;
(b) is propelled by a diesel engine;
(c) is provided with two fire extinguishers mounted on a suitable holder that are readily available for use and which are kept in good working order at all times;
(d) the driving cab of that vehicle is separated from the load carrying compartment of the vehicle and where the body of the vehicle is built directly onto the driving cab, a fire-proof bulkhead is provided across the full width of the body;
(e) the compartment of the vehicle in which the explosives are conveyed is totally enclosed, covered with sheet metal and lined internally with
(i) wood which has been treated in a manner that renders it non-inflammable, or
(ii) some other approved material;
(f) the compartment which contains the explosives in the vehicle is adequately ventilated;
(g) has no openings except the doors, which are fitted closely, and other openings which are required to comply with paragraph (f);
(h) where persons are required to be transported for the purposes of loading or unloading, the vehicle has a suitably constructed separate compartment for the conveyance of those persons;
(i) has a “NO SMOKING” sign posted in the cab and in the separate compartment provided in accordance with paragraph (h);
(j) the exhaust pipe of the vehicle is fitted and directed in a manner that ensures that neither the pipe nor the exhaust gasses pass under any part of the compartment used for carrying the explosives;
(k) has adequate bonding provided between the chassis and the body in a manner that maintains a complete circuit between the chassis and body;
(l) has two earthing chains which are adequately bonded to the chassis and maintained between the chassis and the ground, one at the front and one at the rear;
(m) except where the vehicle is empty, has at each corner so as to be distinctly visible from the front and rear, a red flag which is at least four hundred- and fifty-millimeters square with the letter E in black superimposed in the middle;
(n) where the vehicle is loaded with explosives, has posted
(i) on the two sides and on the front and the rear in red paint on a white background and in a manner that enables it to be distinctly visible from the front, rear and sides, a sign that bears the words
“DANGER-EXPLOSIVES”; and
(ii) on the rear a sign that bears the figure and words “60 km per hour”;
(o) has an isolating switch in the electrical circuit in a readily accessible position;
(p) does not have electric cables inside the compartment in which explosives are transported;
(q) a copy of the original of the authorisation is displayed in the cab behind a glass or other suitable material;
(r) has in a conspicuous place relevant emergency, safety and contact information related to the products being transported;
(s) the battery on the vehicle
(i) is secured to prevent movement in the event of over turn of the vehicle;
(ii) is in an accessible position; and
(iii) has a substantial acid-resistant and ventilated cover that is electrically insulated on the side adjacent to the battery terminals.
Regulation 105—Route and speed limit.
(1) A person who transports explosives by road shall convey the explosives by the most direct route and by the quickest and safest means
(2) Sub regulation (1) does not apply within a city or town where an alternative route which is not the most direct route passes through areas of lesser population density.
(3) A local authority may prescribe the route to be used by vehicles which transport explosives within its area of jurisdiction.
(4) A person who drives a vehicle that is transporting explosives shall not drive faster than sixty kilometers per hour.
Regulation 106—Hours for conveying explosives by roads.
A person who transports explosives in a motor vehicle shall transport the explosives between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm.
Regulation 107—Vehicles to be accompanied by competent person and police escort
(1) A person who transports explosives in a road vehicle shall ensure that the explosives are under the direct control of a person who has a certificate of competency in explosives in accordance with
regulation 15 (2).
(2) Without limiting sub regulation (1), a person who transports explosives in a road vehicle shall ensure that the transportation is done under a police escort.
Regulation 108—Trailers
A person shall not transport explosives in a trailer attached to a road vehicle.
Regulation 109—Prohibition against stopping and parking.
(1) Subject to sub regulation (2), a person driving a road vehicle that is transporting explosives, shall not stop or park that vehicle in any city, town, village or residential accommodation.
(2) Sub regulation (1) does not apply where a vehicle is stopped
(i) to avoid an accident;
(ii)to comply with a traffic sign;
(ii) to obey a direction lawfully given by an authorized person; or
(iv) due to some cause beyond the control of the driver.
(3) A person driving a vehicle that is transporting explosives may park the vehicle outside a city, town or village at a location off a public road and at a reasonable and safe distance from an inhabited building, if the vehicle is kept in charge of a blastman and is accompanied by a police
escort both of whom stay with the vehicle throughout the period the vehicle is parked.
Regulation 110—Procedure for vehicles involved in accidents.
(1) Where a vehicle transporting explosives is involved in an accident, the person transporting the explosives shall ensure that
(a) the explosives are examined by a person who is a competent person under regulation 15(2) and where the explosives have been damaged or spilled the competent person implements the measures
determined in the emergency response plan to make the area safe and to recover the explosives;
(b) arrangements are made to keep the explosives under guard at all times;
(c) where the competent person accompanying the explosives vehicle is not available, the police guard the explosives and a second competent person is sent to the scene;
(d) where the vehicle cannot continue the journey, the competent person arranges for an authorized vehicle to transport the explosives to their destination; and
(e) the competent person within twenty-four hours reports the accident to the nearest Inspector.
(2) For the purposes of this regulation, a competent person is a person issued with a certificate of competency by the Commission under regulation.
With all of the aforementioned in place what is preventing law enforcers to do their job as required of them. Must something of this nature happen before they intervene and be commended for doing their job?
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo described the explosion as a truly sad, unfortunate and tragic incident, and extended, on behalf of Government, deep condolences to the families of the deceased, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He has since charged NADMO to see to it that rapid relief was brought to residents of the town and gave the assurance that government will spare no effort to ensure a rapid return to a situation of normalcy for residents of Appiatse.