Panelists on the GTV Breakfast Show have blamed the mining company at the center of the explosion that occurred in the Western region for negligence resulting in the fatal accident at Appiatse, a small mining community near Bogoso.
The panelists believe the accident could have been prevented if not for the negligence on the part of the mining company. They said the company should be held responsible for the death of the people and the damage caused.
The accident occurred when a truck carrying explosives intended for the mine collided with a motorcycle and exploded, killing 13 people, injuring 60 others and damaging buildings in the small mining community 140km away from the intended destination of the truck.
One of the panelists, an aspiring National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ellen Ama Daaku said the truck conveying the explosives should have been accompanied by fire service and police.
“…if there was an escort, that escort would have alerted the motor bike or ‘pragia’ that caused the accident” the National Women’s Organizer hopeful said.
On the Company’s reaction after the explosion, Madam Daaku said the Mining Company showed no remorse in the statement they issued, and should be held accountable.
MINING COMPANY’S INITIAL STATEMENT
For her part, former Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party, Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim also blamed the company for transporting explosives in broad day light.
“…what I am trying to gather is that why don’t we transport such things maybe at dawn when people are not on the road” Hajia Hamdatu asked.
She said explosives meant for mining sites should be conveyed at night or dawn where there is less human activity on the streets.
She cautioned people who rush to accident scenes to refrain from that and called for education on the role the public can play in the event of any accident. This, she said, will prevent more deaths.
She, however lauded government for the swift response in sending experts to the site.
