AMA taskforce moves to shutdown establishments with poor fire safety standards

A special taskforce set up by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) will move on establishments that do not meet fire safety standards, Tuesday.

The taskforce will visit markets, night clubs, warehouses, drinking bars and casinos to investigate their fire prevention measures.

The assembly says this has become necessary due to the rampant fire outbreaks in the metropolis as well as the resultant level of destruction associated with the outbreaks.

Public Relations Officer at the AMA, Nuumo Blafo, told Joy News institutions that fail to meet the standards will be closed down.

"We [AMA taskforce] should see clear signs of exit points in case of fire any eventuality. We are also looking out for minors who patronise those places and then other things like [electrical] wiring which might end up causing fire", said Nuumo Blafo.

He said for markets, access into the market, electrical wiring and illegal connections would be of prime importance.

"Because there are times that you even want to enter a market and its very difficult though they have gates...people [hawkers] have occupied the place", said Nuumo Blafo.

He said after shutdown of a particular establishment, owners would be required to regularise whatever fire safety standard the AMA taskforce finds lacking.