FLASHBACK: John Mahama laying a wreath in memory of the victims
SURVIVALS OF the 3rd June 2015 fire and flood disaster have accused ex-President John Mahama of not honouring his pledge to them during the time of the tragedy.
It would be recalled that in the aftermath of the disaster, Mr. Mahama who was President of the Republic promised to donate an amount of GH¢ 50,000 to support the victims.
But that apparently was never done, and a group calling itself ‘Concerned Youth of Circle-Odawnaa’, is now demanding full accounts of donations received by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government on behalf of the victims.
The June 3 disaster occurred in Accra after a GOIL Gas filling station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle was caught up in flames when there was torrential rainfall in the metropolis.
There were several donations from corporate Ghana to the government, particularly the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), in support of the victims, with Mr. Mahama himself further pledging to release the said GH¢ 50,000.
The group in a statement jointly signed by Solomon Nii Armah and Gabriel Ocansey, said even though the former president pledged to release GH¢50,000, not even a cedi has since been given to any of the victims.
According to the statement, “Our community has never seen such horror and terror. President Mahama promised to release GH¢ 50,000.00 for the victims, but not even One Ghana Cedi (GH¢ 1.00) has been given to anyone. We are aware of the millions of Ghana cedis released by way of donations and relief items collected by John Mahama’s government on behalf of the victims.”
Nearly 200 people reportedly lost their lives in the June 3 disaster which was described as a national calamity.
But close to four years since the unfortunate incident, many of the survivals continue to complain about the promises made to them by government and some organizations which have not yet been fulfilled.
The group has therefore drawn Mr. Mahama’s attention to “the terrible state in which he left the June 3 Disaster Victims. The Klottey Korle Constituency is still bitter about the June 3 Flood Disaster. Over 1,000 households were affected by the avoidable flood which killed more than 200 citizens under President Mahama’s regime.”
BY Melvin Tarlue