The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has condemned the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for ignoring a recommendation to enhance its fire systems to meet standards.
Mr Ellis Robinson Okoe, The Head of Public Relations of the GNFS, DOII said in an interview on Monday, December 2, there was a fire audit report on the GRA’s Head Office Annex last year and the recommendations were made to the authority to enhance its fire safety systems to meet standards, but it did not.
Mr Okoe says, “If they had, this event would not have occurred. If there were smoke detectors and fire alarm systems, this fire wouldn’t have started,” he added.
Combustible items
DOII Okoe said the fire that swept through the facility was finally doused around 4 p.m. last Sunday, but firemen stayed around until Monday morning to ensure that the fire did not reignite.
He said the fire was severe because that part of the building was full of papers and chairs, in addition to very windy weather which combined to fuel the inferno.
He added that the rooms were divided with plywood, another combustible material which fuelled the fire.
The fire safety apparatus in the building was also weak, he said, adding that there were no smoke detector alarms and other sophisticated tools.
“Such systems could have helped detect the smoke earlier and allow for immediate attention that could have prevented the fire from getting to that extent. In such facilities, it is advisable that they have such mechanisms in place because anything can happen without people noticing,” he advised.
Investigations
The GNFS on Monday, December 2, launched full-scale investigations into the fire that gutted the Head Office Annex of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) along the Ring Road Central in Accra last Sunday.
One of the investigators, DOII Mr Stephen Pobee of the Operations Directorate of the GNFS, told the Daily Graphic that the team had spoken to two security men who were at post at the time the fire started.
He said they were yet to speak to a cleaner, who was the last to enter the building before the fire was detected.
Mr Pobee could not confirm when the investigations would be completed but gave an assurance that the service would do everything possible to get to the bottom of the matter.
He added that at the moment the building was very weak and unsafe for use, as some particles had started falling off.
Equipment lost
The acting Head of Communications and Public Affairs of the GRA, Nana Birago Owusu-Ansah, confirmed that some of the burnt items were computers, documents, air conditioners and furniture.
Asked about the fire audit report, she said she did not have any idea about it and was yet to confirm. She advised all taxpayers who used to transact business at the VAT House to now head to the Kinbu Sub-Large Taxpayer Office located at the GRA Head Office, Ministries.
She said the Adabraka medium taxpayers should transact their tax business at the Adabraka Small Taxpayer Office located near the Adabraka Police Station.
A statement issued by the GRA last Sunday also asked clients of the authority to reach it on toll-free line 0800 900 102 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays or WhatsApp numbers 0552990000 and 0200631664.
Background
It may be recalled that fire gutted the Head Office Annex of the Ghana Revenue Authority along the Ring Road Central on Sunday, December 1st.
It took firemen well over 6 hours to get the fire under control. According to reports, two firemen sustained injuries in the line of duty, but have been treated and discharged.
A statement issued by the GRA indicated that the fire caused extensive structural damage to its ICT centre, however, its data was safe.
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