Some victims of the Ghana Household Utilities Manufacturing Company Limited (GHUMCO) gas explosion in Takoradi have appealed to the government to intervene to get them compensation from the company.
Six of the victims who are currently receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra claim they have been abandoned by the Chinese-operated company as there have not been any discussions between them and the company a month after the explosion.
Twenty-nine-year-old Nicholas Ampah, Albert Ocran, 47; Patrick Amuzu, 25, Kofi Mensah, 34 and two others are the six out of the 50 people who were injured in the May 9 gas explosion.
When 3FM news team visited the Hospital Wednesday, Kofi Mensah was was being prepared for skin grafting surgery while Albert and Patrick have been scheduled for Thursday June 8.
Though they all had bandages on parts of their bodies, they were optimistic of quick recovery and subsequent discharge from the Hospital.
They told the news team, they will not return to the work place upon their recovery because they have been neglected by the company
‘‘I’m not doing all that good but I’m trying my best. If the government can force them to compensate us, that will help a lot,” Albert Ocran told the news team.
Patrick on his part said it was unfortunate that it was only outsiders who have been visiting them in their hospital bed, noting that no official of the company has visited them for the period that they been receiving treatment.
He said he has no idea if there are welfare plans from the company for them.
Nicholas Ampah said he plans to switch jobs when he recovers.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations officer of the 37 Military Hospital, Major Garibah Pabi said government is solely funding their bills.
“As at the moment, the hospital is footing the bills and the agreement is that, after their discharge, then government will reimburse the hospital” he told 3FM
But Ghana National Fire Service says the welfare of their personnel who were also injured in the explosion is their utmost concern.
Director of Public Affairs, Prince Billy Anaglatey, expressed worry that those have been neglected by authorities.
“As at now, apart from the chief fire officer, Dr. Albert Brown Gaisy who has assisted with their bills financially, no other person has, not even the company. Nobody comes to find out what has happened to them and I think as a country we need to be looking out for people who have taken the job to protect life and property”
Management of the company, has meanwhile declined to comment on the issue.
The National Fire Service is also yet to establish the cause of the fire.
By Sarah Parku|3FM|3news.com|Ghana