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In Appiatse, the village that was devastated by a deadly gas explosion in 2022, one hundred and twenty-four (124) dwelling units have been put into commission by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s vice president and flagbearer.
Nearly the whole Appiatse settlement in the Western Region was destroyed in the devastating explosion, which left many people dead or injured and forced to flee their houses as they burned.
Vice President Bawumia led a government group that arrived in the region right away with emergency supplies and pledged to move quickly to rebuild the town for the impacted residents.
After 124 dwelling units were built, commissioned, and turned over today afternoon along with other necessary utilities including power, asphalt roadways, water and drainage systems, and other necessities, that promise has finally been fulfilled.
Members of the Appiatse community, filled with relief and excitement, attended a candlelight vigil ahead of the commissioning to honor their new home and commemorate their loved ones who perished in the explosion.
During the commissioning, Vice President Bawumia stated that the government’s dedication to the well-being of the afflicted individuals and the populace is demonstrated by the community’s prompt rebuilding, which was promised by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Dr. Bawumia lamented the events of January 20, 2022, but added that the commissioning which took place amid communal excitement and rain represented a unique blessing from God.
“On Thursday, 20th January, 2022, we witnessed a very tragic incident at this community, at this same place where we are gathered today. A sudden explosion shook our foundations, shattered lives, and left scars etched deep into our collective memory. It left the Appiatse community, and, indeed, the entire country in deep sorrow and distress,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“The following day, on behalf of the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, I led a delegation, which included Ministers, heads of the security agencies, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and other officials of the Presidency, to commiserate with the victims of the incident. I saw, at first hand, the devastation that the incident has caused to this once vibrant community, with some of our people unfortunately losing their lives, and others suffering various degrees of injuries, as well as the near-total collapse of the entire Appiatse community.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, today, we gather at this same venue, not just to commemorate the tragic event, but also to celebrate resilience, compassion, and the indomitable spirit of the people of Appiatse. While mourning those who lost their lives through this tragic incident, we stand in solidarity with the survivors who bear both physical and emotional wounds, and recognize the heroic efforts of our emergency responders, exemplified in the selflessness that defines our nation.”
“There was fire and we cried. Today, as we rejoice, God has opened the sky and send down rainfall. This can only be a blessing from God,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia stressed that the adversity that hit Appiatse and the entire nation has haf a way of revealing our strength to “rise, rebuild, and re-imagine.”
“From this tragedy emerged resilience. The resilience to rebuild the community. The resilience to bring hope to the suffering, and the unwavering commitment to lift the downtrodden.”
“As we can all attest, Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, acted swiftly following the incident, and in collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, relief was brought to the victims of the incident through the provision of relief items, the diversion of the road that was blown away, and its eventual fixing, and the provision of temporary accommodation for all those displaced.”
Senior government officials who accompanied Dr. Bawumia included the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Abu Jinaport, Western Regional Minister Kwabena Otchere Darko-Mensah, Minister for Information Designate Fati Abubakar among others.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
