By Samira Larbie/Priscilla Oye Ofori/Grace Yayra Kagatse
Accra, June 30, GNA – Traders affected by the Odawna Rubber Market fire have appealed for urgent Government and public support to rebuild their businesses after losing their livelihoods.
The fire destroyed more than 200 shops and stores on Monday, June 29, during torrential rains that caused widespread flooding in parts of Accra.
The blaze, which reportedly started in a rubber factory within the market enclave near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, spread rapidly to adjoining structures, destroying goods worth thousands of cedis and displacing hundreds of traders.
When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the market on Tuesday, officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were assessing the damage and registering affected traders for relief support, while victims salvaged items from the debris.
Madam Esenam Adzo Norgbey Apawu, Deputy Director of NADMO at the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, said more than 400 affected traders had been registered.
She said the figure comprised 211 traders from the plastic and rubber market who were affected by the fire and floods, and 199 foodstuff traders operating opposite the market whose businesses were affected by the flooding.
Madam Apawu said the registration exercise was intended to determine the extent of the damage and inform appropriate relief interventions.
She recommended the provision of start-up capital to support affected traders in restoring their businesses.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said floodwaters submerged major access roads leading to the market, preventing fire tenders from reaching the scene promptly and delaying efforts to contain the blaze.
Several affected traders described the incident as a major setback, saying they had lost their only source of livelihood.
Madam Atika, whose wares were destroyed by the floods, appealed to the Government, benevolent organisations and the general public to support affected traders with financial assistance and relief items to enable them to restart their businesses.
The traders also appealed for improved drainage infrastructure and enhanced fire safety measures at the market to reduce the risk and impact of similar disasters.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey