By: Kobina Baidoo
A displeased group of locals who await proper settlements in phase three of the Appiatse Reconstruction Project have expressed their displeasure after the commissioning of the newly constructed 124 homes.
In January 2022, a vehicle, transporting about 10 tonnes of mining explosives to the Chirano Mines was involved in a fatal collision with a motorcycle, wiping out the whole community by an explosive detonation.
The government immediately commenced a reconstruction project which was commissioned as phase one and phase two on Thursday, May 2, by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
The commissioning which was expected to mark the resettlement of the victims has rather raised commotion, particularly from victims who were compensated with some money to repair their damaged structures, and those who have been included in phase three of the reconstruction project.
In an engagement with reporters, they complained about the high cost of building materials and the increasing thefts of their building materials. “The money they gave us is not enough and prices of building of materials have gone high; thieves have also stolen the building materials provided and we have to buy them again.”
Some expressing their displeasure regarding the absence of basic amenities like power and water, threatened that no one will occupy the homes until all matters are resolved. “They also refused to provide us with light and water; it will not help if they come and stay and ours in not ready. We have warned before that we will not allow anybody to come and occupy the place, because the disaster affected all of us on the same day.”
The displeased victims believe that the commissioning of the homes was not done at the right time because of the numerous defects that are found in the homes.
